Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Waltham, MA
Employers have filed 53 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Software Engineer positions in Waltham, MA, with a median salary of $153,111. That's 2% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations, and 36% higher than the Waltham, MA all-roles H-1B median of $112,382. Principal Software Engineer ranks #14 among H-1B job titles filed from Waltham, MA.
Headline numbers for Principal Software Engineer H-1B roles in Waltham, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,373 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal Software Engineer hiring.
Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Waltham, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $61,373 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $137,300 and $170,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Software Engineers land. The median of $153,111 sits 2% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $128,627
- 25th percentile
- $137,300
- Median
- $153,111
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
Top Employers Hiring Principal Software Engineers in Waltham, MA
CIMPRESS USA INCORPORATED is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Software Engineer in Waltham, MA, with 10 certified filings (19% of local Principal Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $182,000. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 34% ($135,658 at INTRALINKS to $182,000 at CIMPRESS USA INCORPORATED)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CIMPRESS USA INCORPORATED | 10 | $182,000 |
| INTRALINKS | 9 | $135,658 |
| ZOOMINFO TECHNOLOGIES | 8 | $180,600 |
| PEGASYSTEMS | 6 | $139,922 |
| SS&C TECHNOLOGIES | 6 | $165,000 |
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 Waltham, 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 (1,041) outside Waltham, MA. 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 | 1,041 | $120,786 |
| 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 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Waltham, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Waltham, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Principal Software Engineer role here (298 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer III at a median of $134,677.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 298 | $113,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 228 | $129,000 |
| Software Developer | 140 | $99,674 |
| Consultant | 131 | $97,351 |
| Research Scientist | 118 | $108,150 |
| Architect | 111 | $116,355 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 107 | $122,000 |
| Software Engineer III | 75 | $134,677 |
| Assistant Professor | 75 | $121,409 |
| Project Manager | 72 | $100,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer in Waltham, MA is $153,111, based on 53 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% higher than the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 36% higher than the overall H-1B median of $112,382 in Waltham, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $61,373 range from the 10th percentile ($128,627) to the 90th percentile ($190,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $137,300 and $170,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CIMPRESS USA INCORPORATED is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Waltham, MA, with 10 certified filings at a median salary of $182,000. 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 Waltham, MA, answered directly from 53 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 Waltham, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer positions in Waltham, MA is $153,111, based on 53 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $128,627
- 25th percentile
- $137,300
- Median
- $153,111
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
The salary distribution for Principal Software Engineer roles in Waltham, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $128,627, while the 90th percentile earns $190,000. This $61,373 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 Waltham, MA are 17% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Software Engineers in Waltham, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Software Engineer positions in Waltham, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Software Engineer roles specifically in Waltham, MA. CIMPRESS USA INCORPORATED leads with 10 filings at a median salary of $182,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $135,658 to $182,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Waltham, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Waltham, 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, 53 H-1B positions for Principal Software Engineers in Waltham, 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.