Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Durham, NC
Employers have filed 1,041 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Software Engineer positions in Durham, NC, with a median salary of $120,786. That's 19% lower than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations, and 12% higher than the Durham, NC all-roles H-1B median of $107,520. Principal Software Engineer ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Durham, NC.
Headline numbers for Principal Software Engineer H-1B roles in Durham, NC, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #159 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Principal Software Engineer hiring.
Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Durham, NC
The pay distribution for this role spans $34,770 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $108,659 and $132,413, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Software Engineers land. The median of $120,786 sits 19% lower than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $106,400
- 25th percentile
- $108,659
- Median
- $120,786
- 75th percentile
- $132,413
- 90th percentile
- $141,170
Top Employers Hiring Principal Software Engineers in Durham, NC
FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Software Engineer in Durham, NC, with 742 certified filings (71% of local Principal Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $113,339. Among the top sponsors, FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS pays the highest median at $132,781. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 28% ($103,397 at FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES to $132,781 at FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP | 742 | $113,339 |
| FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS | 138 | $132,781 |
| FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES | 47 | $103,397 |
| NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES | 21 | $103,397 |
| FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH | 19 | $103,397 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median across every U.S. location — a measure of how local cost-of-living and market demand shift pay up or down. The second is the all-roles H-1B median in Durham, NC, which tells you whether Principal Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Principal Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. Santa Clara, CA has the most filings (501) outside Durham, NC. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara, CA | 501 | $200,000 |
| Westlake, TX | 463 | $120,328 |
| San Jose, CA | 434 | $191,928 |
| Seattle, WA | 418 | $190,486 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 386 | $184,080 |
| Round Rock, TX | 345 | $130,964 |
| San Francisco, CA | 297 | $196,000 |
| Austin, TX | 264 | $145,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 211 | $130,478 |
| Boston, MA | 206 | $130,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Durham, NC
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Durham, NC, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Principal Software Engineer role here (2,000 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Full Stack Developer at a median of $132,413.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 2,000 | $107,307 |
| Software Engineer | 1,566 | $115,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,372 | $101,109 |
| Associate Research Associate | 344 | $57,846 |
| Consultant | 280 | $100,589 |
| Architect | 253 | $120,000 |
| Senior Full Stack Developer | 240 | $110,365 |
| Principal Full Stack Developer | 227 | $132,413 |
| Systems Analyst | 226 | $96,720 |
| Senior Research Associate | 224 | $63,852 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer in Durham, NC is $120,786, based on 1,041 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 19% lower than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 12% higher than the overall H-1B median of $107,520 in Durham, NC across all job titles.
Salaries span a $34,770 range from the 10th percentile ($106,400) to the 90th percentile ($141,170). The middle 50% of workers earn between $108,659 and $132,413, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Durham, NC, with 742 certified filings at a median salary of $113,339. Among the top employers, FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS pays the highest median at $132,781. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal Software Engineer H-1B roles in Durham, NC, answered directly from 1,041 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Every answer below cites the specific data point it's based on.
What is the average Principal Software Engineer salary in Durham, NC?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer positions in Durham, NC is $120,786, based on 1,041 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $106,400
- 25th percentile
- $108,659
- Median
- $120,786
- 75th percentile
- $132,413
- 90th percentile
- $141,170
The salary distribution for Principal Software Engineer roles in Durham, NC shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $106,400, while the 90th percentile earns $141,170. This $34,770 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Principal Software Engineer salaries in Durham, NC are 7% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Software Engineers in Durham, NC?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Software Engineer positions in Durham, NC are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Software Engineer roles specifically in Durham, NC. FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP leads with 742 filings at a median salary of $113,339. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $103,397 to $132,781.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Durham, NC?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Durham, NC, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:
- Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
- The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
- Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
- If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work
Based on our data, 1,041 H-1B positions for Principal Software Engineers in Durham, NC have been certified, indicating strong demand for this role. The top sponsors listed above have a track record of successful H-1B sponsorship for this position.