QA Engineer H-1B Salary in Foster City, CA
Employers have filed 118 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for QA Engineer positions in Foster City, CA, with a median salary of $123,261. That's 34% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $91,853 across all U.S. locations, and 11% lower than the Foster City, CA all-roles H-1B median of $138,341. QA Engineer ranks #9 among H-1B job titles filed from Foster City, CA.
Headline numbers for QA Engineer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,828 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for QA Engineer hiring.
QA Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Foster City, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $61,692 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $108,160 and $143,000, the interquartile range where most experienced QA Engineers land. The median of $123,261 sits 34% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $94,266
- 25th percentile
- $108,160
- Median
- $123,261
- 75th percentile
- $143,000
- 90th percentile
- $155,958
Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers in Foster City, CA
ZOOX is the largest H-1B sponsor for QA Engineer in Foster City, CA, with 53 certified filings (45% of local QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $124,197. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 28% ($107,000 at QUALYS to $136,500 at ZOOX)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ZOOX | 53 | $124,197 |
| ZOOX | 21 | $136,500 |
| QUINSTREET | 8 | $120,000 |
| QUALYS | 6 | $107,000 |
| POPULUS GROUP | 6 | $110,240 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national QA 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 Foster City, CA, which tells you whether QA Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
QA Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where QA Engineer is an active H-1B role. San Diego, CA has the most filings (767) outside Foster City, CA. The highest median among these is Cupertino, CA at $145,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | 767 | $96,742 |
| Austin, TX | 742 | $92,040 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 678 | $134,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 644 | $122,408 |
| Plano, TX | 608 | $85,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 599 | $139,180 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 557 | $123,283 |
| Cupertino, CA | 477 | $145,000 |
| Irving, TX | 424 | $86,400 |
| New York, NY | 393 | $99,549 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Foster City, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Foster City, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-QA Engineer role here (521 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Director at a median of $167,700.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 521 | $149,867 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 502 | $144,340 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 319 | $147,368 |
| Director | 150 | $167,700 |
| Research Scientist | 141 | $128,752 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 139 | $113,277 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 132 | $144,126 |
| Data Scientist | 120 | $121,600 |
| Software Developer | 106 | $121,000 |
| Senior Data Engineer | 97 | $139,589 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer in Foster City, CA is $123,261, based on 118 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 34% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $91,853 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% lower than the overall H-1B median of $138,341 in Foster City, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $61,692 range from the 10th percentile ($94,266) to the 90th percentile ($155,958). The middle 50% of workers earn between $108,160 and $143,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ZOOX is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Foster City, CA, with 53 certified filings at a median salary of $124,197. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about QA Engineer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, answered directly from 118 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 QA Engineer salary in Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer positions in Foster City, CA is $123,261, based on 118 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $94,266
- 25th percentile
- $108,160
- Median
- $123,261
- 75th percentile
- $143,000
- 90th percentile
- $155,958
The salary distribution for QA Engineer roles in Foster City, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,266, while the 90th percentile earns $155,958. This $61,692 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, QA Engineer salaries in Foster City, CA are 6% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire QA Engineers in Foster City, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for QA Engineer positions in Foster City, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for QA Engineer roles specifically in Foster City, CA. ZOOX leads with 53 filings at a median salary of $124,197. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $107,000 to $136,500.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in Foster City, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in Foster City, 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, 118 H-1B positions for QA Engineers in Foster City, 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.