QA Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 753 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for QA Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $96,742. That's 6% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $91,374 across all U.S. locations, and 19% lower than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. QA Engineer ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for QA Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #266 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for QA Engineer hiring.
QA Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $41,792 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $88,756 and $106,462, the interquartile range where most experienced QA Engineers land. The median of $96,742 sits 6% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $78,208
- 25th percentile
- $88,756
- Median
- $96,742
- 75th percentile
- $106,462
- 90th percentile
- $120,000
Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers in San Diego, CA
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for QA Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 340 certified filings (45% of local QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $99,505. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 23% ($80,662 at INSPIRISYS SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICA to $99,505 at QUALCOMM)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 340 | $99,505 |
| MINDLANCE | 38 | $96,700 |
| SERVICENOW | 34 | $90,979 |
| INSPIRISYS SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICA | 31 | $80,662 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 24 | $98,784 |
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 San Diego, 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. Austin, TX has the most filings (714) outside San Diego, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 714 | $91,957 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 655 | $133,718 |
| San Jose, CA | 619 | $121,000 |
| Plano, TX | 589 | $84,512 |
| Mountain View, CA | 581 | $138,888 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 531 | $123,204 |
| Cupertino, CA | 460 | $145,000 |
| Irving, TX | 410 | $85,000 |
| New York, NY | 391 | $99,549 |
| Dallas, TX | 371 | $90,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-QA Engineer role here (2,661 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,661 | $122,720 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,640 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 606 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 524 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 448 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 352 | $128,502 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 348 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 315 | $108,766 |
| Asics Engineer | 313 | $104,562 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer in San Diego, CA is $96,742, based on 753 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 6% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $91,374 across all U.S. locations. It is also 19% lower than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $41,792 range from the 10th percentile ($78,208) to the 90th percentile ($120,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $88,756 and $106,462, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 340 certified filings at a median salary of $99,505. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 753 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $96,742, based on 753 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $78,208
- 25th percentile
- $88,756
- Median
- $96,742
- 75th percentile
- $106,462
- 90th percentile
- $120,000
The salary distribution for QA Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $78,208, while the 90th percentile earns $120,000. This $41,792 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, QA Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA are 26% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire QA Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for QA Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for QA Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. QUALCOMM leads with 340 filings at a median salary of $99,505. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $80,662 to $99,505.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in San Diego, 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, 753 H-1B positions for QA Engineers in San Diego, 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.