Skip to main content
H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA

Employers have filed 74 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for R&D Engineer Hardware positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $164,020. That's 8% higher than the national R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B median of $151,814 across all U.S. locations, and 12% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. R&D Engineer Hardware ranks #101 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.

Headline numbers for R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,498 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for R&D Engineer Hardware hiring.

$164,020
Median Salary
74
Certified Filings
$131,754
10th Percentile
$195,379
90th Percentile

R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA

The pay distribution for this role spans $63,625 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $147,232 and $177,341, the interquartile range where most experienced R&D Engineer Hardwares land. The median of $164,020 sits 8% higher than the national R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B median.

10th percentile
$131,754
25th percentile
$147,232
Median
$164,020
75th percentile
$177,341
90th percentile
$195,379
Middle 50% of R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B salaries in San Jose, CA: $147,232 to $177,341

Top Employers Hiring R&D Engineer Hardwares in San Jose, CA

AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES US is the largest H-1B sponsor for R&D Engineer Hardware in San Jose, CA, with 43 certified filings (58% of local R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B filings) at a median salary of $164,015. Among the top sponsors, AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES WIRELESS (USA) MANUFACTURING pays the highest median at $204,901. The pay spread across top employers is 45%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 45% ($141,352 at AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES U.S. to $204,901 at AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES WIRELESS (USA) MANUFACTURING)

Employer Filings Median Salary
AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES US 43 $164,015
BROADCOM 23 $166,026
AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES U.S. 7 $141,352
AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES WIRELESS (USA) MANUFACTURING 1 $204,901

How This Salary Compares

Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national R&D Engineer Hardware 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 R&D Engineer Hardware pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National R&D Engineer Hardware
+8%
8% higher than the national R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B median of $151,814.
vs. San Jose, CA Average
+12%
12% higher than the overall H-1B median in San Jose, CA ($146,307).

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-R&D Engineer Hardware 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 R&D Engineer Hardware in San Jose, CA is $164,020, based on 74 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 8% higher than the national R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B median of $151,814 across all U.S. locations. It is also 12% higher than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $63,625 range from the 10th percentile ($131,754) to the 90th percentile ($195,379). The middle 50% of workers earn between $147,232 and $177,341, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES US is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 43 certified filings at a median salary of $164,015. Among the top employers, AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES WIRELESS (USA) MANUFACTURING pays the highest median at $204,901. The pay spread across top employers is 45%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about R&D Engineer Hardware H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, answered directly from 74 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 R&D Engineer Hardware salary in San Jose, CA?

The median H-1B salary for R&D Engineer Hardware positions in San Jose, CA is $164,020, based on 74 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$131,754
25th percentile
$147,232
Median
$164,020
75th percentile
$177,341
90th percentile
$195,379

The salary distribution for R&D Engineer Hardware roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $131,754, while the 90th percentile earns $195,379. This $63,625 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, R&D Engineer Hardware salaries in San Jose, CA are 26% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire R&D Engineer Hardwares in San Jose, CA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for R&D Engineer Hardware positions in San Jose, CA are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for R&D Engineer Hardware roles specifically in San Jose, CA. AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES US leads with 43 filings at a median salary of $164,015. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $141,352 to $204,901.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a R&D Engineer Hardware in San Jose, CA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a R&D Engineer Hardware in San Jose, CA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 74 H-1B positions for R&D Engineer Hardwares 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.