Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Hopkinton, MA
Employers have filed 73 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Software Engineer positions in Hopkinton, MA, with a median salary of $146,469. That's 3% lower than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,762 across all U.S. locations, and 19% higher than the Hopkinton, MA all-roles H-1B median of $123,165. Principal Software Engineer ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Hopkinton, MA.
Headline numbers for Principal Software Engineer H-1B roles in Hopkinton, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,022 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal Software Engineer hiring.
Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Hopkinton, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $71,198 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $128,097 and $170,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Software Engineers land. The median of $146,469 sits 3% lower than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $113,922
- 25th percentile
- $128,097
- Median
- $146,469
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $185,120
Top Employers Hiring Principal Software Engineers in Hopkinton, MA
EMC is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Software Engineer in Hopkinton, MA, with 61 certified filings (84% of local Principal Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $140,708. Among the top sponsors, DELL PRODUCTS pays the highest median at $189,730. The pay spread across top employers is 40%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 40% ($135,658 at VERITAS TECHNOLOGIES to $189,730 at DELL PRODUCTS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| EMC | 61 | $140,708 |
| DELL USA | 3 | $147,595 |
| CALIPER LIFE SCIENCES | 2 | $149,876 |
| DELL PRODUCTS | 2 | $189,730 |
| VERITAS TECHNOLOGIES | 1 | $135,658 |
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 Hopkinton, MA, 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. Durham, NC has the most filings (1,142) outside Hopkinton, MA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $201,053. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Durham, NC | 1,142 | $121,222 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 557 | $201,053 |
| Westlake, TX | 535 | $120,328 |
| San Jose, CA | 485 | $192,400 |
| Seattle, WA | 461 | $191,096 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 455 | $185,000 |
| Round Rock, TX | 365 | $132,278 |
| San Francisco, CA | 313 | $198,790 |
| Austin, TX | 285 | $147,900 |
| Atlanta, GA | 237 | $135,045 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Hopkinton, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Hopkinton, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Principal Software Engineer role here (108 filings).
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 108 | $131,001 |
| Software Engineer II | 85 | $103,000 |
| Software Engineer | 50 | $99,944 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer in Hopkinton, MA is $146,469, based on 73 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 3% lower than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,762 across all U.S. locations. It is also 19% higher than the overall H-1B median of $123,165 in Hopkinton, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $71,198 range from the 10th percentile ($113,922) to the 90th percentile ($185,120). The middle 50% of workers earn between $128,097 and $170,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
EMC is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Hopkinton, MA, with 61 certified filings at a median salary of $140,708. Among the top employers, DELL PRODUCTS pays the highest median at $189,730. The pay spread across top employers is 40%, 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 Hopkinton, MA, answered directly from 73 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 Hopkinton, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer positions in Hopkinton, MA is $146,469, based on 73 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $113,922
- 25th percentile
- $128,097
- Median
- $146,469
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $185,120
The salary distribution for Principal Software Engineer roles in Hopkinton, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $113,922, while the 90th percentile earns $185,120. This $71,198 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Principal Software Engineer salaries in Hopkinton, MA are 16% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Software Engineers in Hopkinton, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Software Engineer positions in Hopkinton, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Software Engineer roles specifically in Hopkinton, MA. EMC leads with 61 filings at a median salary of $140,708. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $135,658 to $189,730.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Hopkinton, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Hopkinton, MA, 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, 73 H-1B positions for Principal Software Engineers in Hopkinton, MA 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.