Principal Systems Engineer H-1B Salary in Durham, NC
Employers have filed 58 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Systems Engineer positions in Durham, NC, with a median salary of $113,339. That's 21% lower than the national Principal Systems Engineer H-1B median of $144,200 across all U.S. locations, and 5% higher than the Durham, NC all-roles H-1B median of $107,520. Principal Systems Engineer ranks #42 among H-1B job titles filed from Durham, NC.
Headline numbers for Principal Systems Engineer H-1B roles in Durham, NC, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,850 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal Systems Engineer hiring.
Principal Systems Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Durham, NC
The pay distribution for this role spans $29,474 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $108,410 and $122,583, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Systems Engineers land. The median of $113,339 sits 21% lower than the national Principal Systems Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $102,939
- 25th percentile
- $108,410
- Median
- $113,339
- 75th percentile
- $122,583
- 90th percentile
- $132,413
Top Employers Hiring Principal Systems Engineers in Durham, NC
FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Systems Engineer in Durham, NC, with 43 certified filings (74% of local Principal Systems Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $111,467. Among the top sponsors, FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS pays the highest median at $122,583. The pay spread across top employers is 13%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 13% ($108,659 at NATIONAL CHARITABLE SERVICES to $122,583 at FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP | 43 | $111,467 |
| FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS | 9 | $122,583 |
| NATIONAL CHARITABLE SERVICES | 3 | $108,659 |
| FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES | 1 | $108,659 |
| NATIONAL CHARITABLE SERVICES D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS | 1 | $116,624 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal Systems 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 Systems Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
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 Systems 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 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 1,041 | $120,786 |
| 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 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Systems Engineer in Durham, NC is $113,339, based on 58 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 21% lower than the national Principal Systems Engineer H-1B median of $144,200 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% higher than the overall H-1B median of $107,520 in Durham, NC across all job titles.
Salaries span a $29,474 range from the 10th percentile ($102,939) to the 90th percentile ($132,413). The middle 50% of workers earn between $108,410 and $122,583, 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 43 certified filings at a median salary of $111,467. Among the top employers, FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS pays the highest median at $122,583. The pay spread across top employers is 13%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal Systems Engineer H-1B roles in Durham, NC, answered directly from 58 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 Systems Engineer salary in Durham, NC?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Systems Engineer positions in Durham, NC is $113,339, based on 58 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $102,939
- 25th percentile
- $108,410
- Median
- $113,339
- 75th percentile
- $122,583
- 90th percentile
- $132,413
The salary distribution for Principal Systems Engineer roles in Durham, NC shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $102,939, while the 90th percentile earns $132,413. This $29,474 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Principal Systems Engineer salaries in Durham, NC are 13% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Systems Engineers in Durham, NC?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Systems Engineer positions in Durham, NC are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Systems Engineer roles specifically in Durham, NC. FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP leads with 43 filings at a median salary of $111,467. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $108,659 to $122,583.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Systems Engineer in Durham, NC?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Systems 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, 58 H-1B positions for Principal Systems 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.