Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 444 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $190,486. That's 27% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations, and 34% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,110. Principal Software Engineer ranks #29 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Principal Software Engineer H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #592 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Principal Software Engineer hiring.
Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $96,600 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $165,875 and $240,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Software Engineers land. The median of $190,486 sits 27% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $155,000
- 25th percentile
- $165,875
- Median
- $190,486
- 75th percentile
- $240,000
- 90th percentile
- $251,600
Top Employers Hiring Principal Software Engineers in Seattle, WA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Software Engineer in Seattle, WA, with 246 certified filings (55% of local Principal Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $190,486. Among the top sponsors, SPLUNK pays the highest median at $240,000. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 34% ($179,335 at EMC to $240,000 at SPLUNK)
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 Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, WA. 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 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 405 | $184,080 |
| Round Rock, TX | 354 | $131,870 |
| San Francisco, CA | 308 | $198,790 |
| Austin, TX | 272 | $147,870 |
| Atlanta, GA | 221 | $130,562 |
| Boston, MA | 213 | $131,858 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Principal Software Engineer role here (10,229 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $185,037.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 10,229 | $159,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 8,107 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,269 | $125,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,234 | $149,700 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,167 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,083 | $179,546 |
| Program Manager III | 1,521 | $147,000 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,383 | $185,037 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,212 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer in Seattle, WA is $190,486, based on 444 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 27% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 34% higher than the overall H-1B median of $142,110 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $96,600 range from the 10th percentile ($155,000) to the 90th percentile ($251,600). The middle 50% of workers earn between $165,875 and $240,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 246 certified filings at a median salary of $190,486. Among the top employers, SPLUNK pays the highest median at $240,000. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 444 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA is $190,486, based on 444 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $155,000
- 25th percentile
- $165,875
- Median
- $190,486
- 75th percentile
- $240,000
- 90th percentile
- $251,600
The salary distribution for Principal Software Engineer roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $155,000, while the 90th percentile earns $251,600. This $96,600 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 Seattle, WA are 46% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Software Engineers in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Software Engineer roles specifically in Seattle, WA. AMAZON leads with 246 filings at a median salary of $190,486. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $179,335 to $240,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Seattle, WA, 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, 444 H-1B positions for Principal Software Engineers in Seattle, WA 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.