QA Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 619 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for QA Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $121,000. That's 32% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $91,374 across all U.S. locations, and 17% lower than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. QA Engineer ranks #13 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for QA Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #353 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 Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $75,888 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $109,554 and $145,000, the interquartile range where most experienced QA Engineers land. The median of $121,000 sits 32% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $94,984
- 25th percentile
- $109,554
- Median
- $121,000
- 75th percentile
- $145,000
- 90th percentile
- $170,872
Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers in San Jose, CA
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for QA Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 84 certified filings (14% of local QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $136,531. Among the top sponsors, VERSA NETWORKS pays the highest median at $170,872. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 51% ($113,111 at TECH MAHINDRA to $170,872 at VERSA NETWORKS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CISCO | 84 | $136,531 |
| TECH MAHINDRA | 34 | $113,111 |
| ADOBE | 27 | $163,800 |
| VERSA NETWORKS | 24 | $170,872 |
| BYTEDANCE | 23 | $158,000 |
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 Jose, 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 (753) outside San Jose, 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 | 753 | $96,742 |
| Austin, TX | 714 | $91,957 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 655 | $133,718 |
| 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 Jose, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Jose, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-QA Engineer role here (8,169 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $183,646.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,544 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,299 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 918 | $167,632 |
| Software Engineer II | 842 | $133,000 |
| Accountant | 805 | $108,000 |
| Data Scientist | 805 | $158,952 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 802 | $183,646 |
| Architect | 770 | $144,800 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer in San Jose, CA is $121,000, based on 619 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 32% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $91,374 across all U.S. locations. It is also 17% lower than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $75,888 range from the 10th percentile ($94,984) to the 90th percentile ($170,872). The middle 50% of workers earn between $109,554 and $145,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 84 certified filings at a median salary of $136,531. Among the top employers, VERSA NETWORKS pays the highest median at $170,872. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, 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 Jose, CA, answered directly from 619 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $121,000, based on 619 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $94,984
- 25th percentile
- $109,554
- Median
- $121,000
- 75th percentile
- $145,000
- 90th percentile
- $170,872
The salary distribution for QA Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,984, while the 90th percentile earns $170,872. This $75,888 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 Jose, CA are 7% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire QA Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for QA Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for QA Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. CISCO leads with 84 filings at a median salary of $136,531. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $113,111 to $170,872.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in San Jose, 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, 619 H-1B positions for QA Engineers in San Jose, 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.