Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 308 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $198,790. That's 33% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations, and 28% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Principal Software Engineer ranks #34 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Principal Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #940 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Principal Software Engineer hiring.
Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $113,746 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $168,958 and $230,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Software Engineers land. The median of $198,790 sits 33% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $146,254
- 25th percentile
- $168,958
- Median
- $198,790
- 75th percentile
- $230,000
- 90th percentile
- $260,000
Top Employers Hiring Principal Software Engineers in San Francisco, CA
AUTODESK is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 34 certified filings (11% of local Principal Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $169,562. Among the top sponsors, LENDINGCLUB BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION pays the highest median at $219,750. The pay spread across top employers is 30%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 30% ($169,562 at AUTODESK to $219,750 at LENDINGCLUB BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AUTODESK | 34 | $169,562 |
| SPLUNK | 29 | $213,000 |
| SALESFORCE.COM | 23 | $169,562 |
| LENDINGCLUB BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | 14 | $219,750 |
| OKTA | 13 | $213,512 |
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 San Francisco, CA, 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 (1,075) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $200,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Durham, NC | 1,075 | $120,786 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 524 | $200,000 |
| Westlake, TX | 492 | $120,328 |
| San Jose, CA | 454 | $192,400 |
| Seattle, WA | 444 | $190,486 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 405 | $184,080 |
| Round Rock, TX | 354 | $131,870 |
| Austin, TX | 272 | $147,870 |
| Atlanta, GA | 221 | $130,562 |
| Boston, MA | 213 | $131,858 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Principal Software Engineer role here (13,033 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,033 | $165,605 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,884 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,537 | $150,488 |
| Product Manager | 1,504 | $164,500 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,087 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,081 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,032 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 1,030 | $107,500 |
| Consultant | 969 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 838 | $138,200 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $198,790, based on 308 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 33% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 28% higher than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $113,746 range from the 10th percentile ($146,254) to the 90th percentile ($260,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $168,958 and $230,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AUTODESK is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 34 certified filings at a median salary of $169,562. Among the top employers, LENDINGCLUB BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION pays the highest median at $219,750. The pay spread across top employers is 30%, 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 San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 308 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 San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $198,790, based on 308 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $146,254
- 25th percentile
- $168,958
- Median
- $198,790
- 75th percentile
- $230,000
- 90th percentile
- $260,000
The salary distribution for Principal Software Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $146,254, while the 90th percentile earns $260,000. This $113,746 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Principal Software Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 52% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Software Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Software Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. AUTODESK leads with 34 filings at a median salary of $169,562. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $169,562 to $219,750.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA, 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, 308 H-1B positions for Principal Software Engineers in San Francisco, CA 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.