QA Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 594 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for QA Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $125,000. That's 36% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $92,000 across all U.S. locations, and 19% lower than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. QA Engineer ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for QA Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #413 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for QA Engineer hiring.
QA Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $73,840 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $111,186 and $148,286, the interquartile range where most experienced QA Engineers land. The median of $125,000 sits 36% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $102,960
- 25th percentile
- $111,186
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $148,286
- 90th percentile
- $176,800
Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers in Santa Clara, CA
NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for QA Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, with 97 certified filings (16% of local QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $160,585. Among the top sponsors, VERSA NETWORKS pays the highest median at $164,154. The pay spread across top employers is 44%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 44% ($114,099 at L&T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES to $164,154 at VERSA NETWORKS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA | 97 | $160,585 |
| ARISTA NETWORKS | 86 | $120,768 |
| SERVICENOW | 54 | $118,516 |
| VERSA NETWORKS | 41 | $164,154 |
| L&T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES | 18 | $114,099 |
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 Santa Clara, 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 (801) outside Santa Clara, 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 | 801 | $93,600 |
| San Diego, CA | 786 | $96,742 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 723 | $135,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 682 | $124,925 |
| Plano, TX | 637 | $85,925 |
| Mountain View, CA | 616 | $140,000 |
| Cupertino, CA | 487 | $145,000 |
| Irving, TX | 438 | $86,923 |
| New York, NY | 411 | $99,549 |
| Dallas, TX | 406 | $91,374 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Clara, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-QA Engineer role here (4,674 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $201,053.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 4,674 | $150,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,527 | $157,477 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,298 | $133,400 |
| Hardware Engineer | 932 | $163,778 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 898 | $179,396 |
| Software Engineer II | 841 | $179,200 |
| Architect | 757 | $163,800 |
| Software Developer | 571 | $127,000 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 557 | $201,053 |
| Chemical Engineer | 490 | $135,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $125,000, based on 594 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 36% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $92,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 19% lower than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $73,840 range from the 10th percentile ($102,960) to the 90th percentile ($176,800). The middle 50% of workers earn between $111,186 and $148,286, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 97 certified filings at a median salary of $160,585. Among the top employers, VERSA NETWORKS pays the highest median at $164,154. The pay spread across top employers is 44%, 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 594 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA is $125,000, based on 594 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $102,960
- 25th percentile
- $111,186
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $148,286
- 90th percentile
- $176,800
The salary distribution for QA Engineer roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $102,960, while the 90th percentile earns $176,800. This $73,840 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, QA Engineer salaries in Santa Clara, CA are 1% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire QA Engineers in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for QA Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for QA Engineer roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. NVIDIA leads with 97 filings at a median salary of $160,585. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $114,099 to $164,154.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in Santa Clara, 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, 594 H-1B positions for QA Engineers in Santa Clara, 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.