QA Engineer H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 655 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for QA Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $133,718. That's 46% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $91,374 across all U.S. locations, and 15% lower than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $157,269. QA Engineer ranks #10 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for QA Engineer H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #328 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $87,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $116,050 and $160,000, the interquartile range where most experienced QA Engineers land. The median of $133,718 sits 46% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $104,000
- 25th percentile
- $116,050
- Median
- $133,718
- 75th percentile
- $160,000
- 90th percentile
- $191,000
Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA
NOKIA OF AMERICA is the largest H-1B sponsor for QA Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA, with 141 certified filings (22% of local QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $163,836. Among the top sponsors, GOOGLE pays the highest median at $164,000. The pay spread across top employers is 33%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 33% ($123,718 at INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS to $164,000 at GOOGLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| NOKIA OF AMERICA | 141 | $163,836 |
| 77 | $164,000 | |
| FORTINET | 69 | $130,894 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS | 63 | $123,718 |
| APPLE | 59 | $151,000 |
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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, 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 |
| 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-QA Engineer role here (15,458 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 15,458 | $167,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,316 | $159,370 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,039 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,651 | $176,000 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,612 | $142,391 |
| Program Manager | 1,215 | $161,000 |
| Software Developer | 943 | $120,600 |
| Project Manager | 681 | $137,363 |
| Software Engineer I | 680 | $142,400 |
| Data Scientist | 575 | $145,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $133,718, based on 655 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 46% higher than the national QA Engineer H-1B median of $91,374 across all U.S. locations. It is also 15% lower than the overall H-1B median of $157,269 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $87,000 range from the 10th percentile ($104,000) to the 90th percentile ($191,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $116,050 and $160,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
NOKIA OF AMERICA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 141 certified filings at a median salary of $163,836. Among the top employers, GOOGLE pays the highest median at $164,000. The pay spread across top employers is 33%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 655 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for QA Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $133,718, based on 655 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $104,000
- 25th percentile
- $116,050
- Median
- $133,718
- 75th percentile
- $160,000
- 90th percentile
- $191,000
The salary distribution for QA Engineer roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $104,000, while the 90th percentile earns $191,000. This $87,000 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 Sunnyvale, CA are 2% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire QA Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for QA Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for QA Engineer roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. NOKIA OF AMERICA leads with 141 filings at a median salary of $163,836. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $123,718 to $164,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a QA Engineer in Sunnyvale, 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, 655 H-1B positions for QA Engineers in Sunnyvale, 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.