Security Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 220 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Security Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $160,000. That's 48% higher than the national Security Engineer H-1B median of $108,347 across all U.S. locations, and 3% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Security Engineer ranks #44 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Security Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,424 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Security Engineer hiring.
Security Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $102,230 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $133,994 and $183,600, the interquartile range where most experienced Security Engineers land. The median of $160,000 sits 48% higher than the national Security Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $117,770
- 25th percentile
- $133,994
- Median
- $160,000
- 75th percentile
- $183,600
- 90th percentile
- $220,000
Top Employers Hiring Security Engineers in San Francisco, CA
SALESFORCE.COM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Security Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 19 certified filings (9% of local Security Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $119,122. Among the top sponsors, DROPBOX pays the highest median at $187,100. The pay spread across top employers is 57%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 57% ($119,122 at SALESFORCE.COM to $187,100 at DROPBOX)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SALESFORCE.COM | 19 | $119,122 |
| SALESFORCE | 15 | $161,000 |
| 12 | $177,000 | |
| DROPBOX | 9 | $187,100 |
| SQUARE | 7 | $183,600 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Security 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 Francisco, CA, which tells you whether Security Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Security Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Security Engineer is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (214) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $181,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 214 | $126,750 |
| Austin, TX | 186 | $115,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 167 | $160,994 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 150 | $162,000 |
| Irving, TX | 103 | $97,760 |
| Seattle, WA | 87 | $140,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 81 | $98,946 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 74 | $181,000 |
| Plano, TX | 69 | $95,000 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 61 | $100,901 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Security Engineer role here (13,033 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,033 | $165,605 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,884 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,537 | $150,488 |
| Product Manager | 1,504 | $164,500 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,087 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,081 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,032 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 1,030 | $107,500 |
| Consultant | 969 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 838 | $138,200 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Security Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $160,000, based on 220 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 48% higher than the national Security Engineer H-1B median of $108,347 across all U.S. locations. It is also 3% higher than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $102,230 range from the 10th percentile ($117,770) to the 90th percentile ($220,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $133,994 and $183,600, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SALESFORCE.COM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 19 certified filings at a median salary of $119,122. Among the top employers, DROPBOX pays the highest median at $187,100. The pay spread across top employers is 57%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Security Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 220 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 Security Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Security Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $160,000, based on 220 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $117,770
- 25th percentile
- $133,994
- Median
- $160,000
- 75th percentile
- $183,600
- 90th percentile
- $220,000
The salary distribution for Security Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $117,770, while the 90th percentile earns $220,000. This $102,230 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Security Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 22% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Security Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Security Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Security Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. SALESFORCE.COM leads with 19 filings at a median salary of $119,122. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $119,122 to $187,100.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Security Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Security Engineer in San Francisco, 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, 220 H-1B positions for Security Engineers in San Francisco, 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.