Senior Backend Developer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 64 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Backend Developer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $179,999. That's 7% higher than the national Senior Backend Developer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations, and 16% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Senior Backend Developer ranks #107 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Backend Developer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,445 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Backend Developer hiring.
Senior Backend Developer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $63,251 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $169,000 and $200,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Backend Developers land. The median of $179,999 sits 7% higher than the national Senior Backend Developer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $156,749
- 25th percentile
- $169,000
- Median
- $179,999
- 75th percentile
- $200,000
- 90th percentile
- $220,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Backend Developers in San Francisco, CA
UNITY TECHNOLOGIES SF is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Backend Developer in San Francisco, CA, with 6 certified filings (9% of local Senior Backend Developer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $170,872. Among the top sponsors, UBER TECHNOLOGIES pays the highest median at $230,700. The pay spread across top employers is 35%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 35% ($170,872 at UNITY TECHNOLOGIES SF to $230,700 at UBER TECHNOLOGIES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNITY TECHNOLOGIES SF | 6 | $170,872 |
| RIDECELL | 5 | $176,550 |
| COINBASE | 4 | $200,000 |
| PATREON | 3 | $185,000 |
| UBER TECHNOLOGIES | 2 | $230,700 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior Backend Developer 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 Senior Backend Developer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Backend Developer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Backend Developer is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (69) outside San Francisco, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 69 | $180,000 |
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-Senior Backend Developer 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 Senior Backend Developer in San Francisco, CA is $179,999, based on 64 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% higher than the national Senior Backend Developer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations. It is also 16% higher than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $63,251 range from the 10th percentile ($156,749) to the 90th percentile ($220,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $169,000 and $200,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNITY TECHNOLOGIES SF is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 6 certified filings at a median salary of $170,872. Among the top employers, UBER TECHNOLOGIES pays the highest median at $230,700. The pay spread across top employers is 35%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Backend Developer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 64 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 Senior Backend Developer salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Backend Developer positions in San Francisco, CA is $179,999, based on 64 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $156,749
- 25th percentile
- $169,000
- Median
- $179,999
- 75th percentile
- $200,000
- 90th percentile
- $220,000
The salary distribution for Senior Backend Developer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $156,749, while the 90th percentile earns $220,000. This $63,251 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Senior Backend Developer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 38% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Backend Developers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Backend Developer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Backend Developer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. UNITY TECHNOLOGIES SF leads with 6 filings at a median salary of $170,872. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $170,872 to $230,700.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Backend Developer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Backend Developer 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, 64 H-1B positions for Senior Backend Developers 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.