Senior Data Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 367 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Data Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $170,000. That's 30% higher than the national Senior Data Engineer H-1B median of $130,520 across all U.S. locations, and 10% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Senior Data Engineer ranks #28 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Data Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #701 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Senior Data Engineer hiring.
Senior Data Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $76,116 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $153,088 and $191,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Data Engineers land. The median of $170,000 sits 30% higher than the national Senior Data Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $133,884
- 25th percentile
- $153,088
- Median
- $170,000
- 75th percentile
- $191,000
- 90th percentile
- $210,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Data Engineers in San Francisco, CA
AIRBNB is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 25 certified filings (7% of local Senior Data Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $191,000. The pay spread across top employers is 48%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 48% ($128,750 at NISUM TECHNOLOGIES to $191,000 at AIRBNB)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AIRBNB | 25 | $191,000 |
| SALESFORCE | 13 | $190,000 |
| LENDINGCLUB BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | 12 | $190,000 |
| NISUM TECHNOLOGIES | 10 | $128,750 |
| LEVI STRAUSS & | 8 | $169,562 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior Data 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 Senior Data Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Data Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Data Engineer is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (449) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Seattle, WA at $164,788. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 449 | $151,819 |
| Austin, TX | 401 | $132,413 |
| Irving, TX | 350 | $130,000 |
| Charlotte, NC | 341 | $128,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 326 | $125,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 242 | $130,000 |
| Plano, TX | 238 | $127,878 |
| Atlanta, GA | 230 | $127,504 |
| Seattle, WA | 200 | $164,788 |
| Hartford, CT | 185 | $125,000 |
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 Data Engineer role here (12,596 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 12,596 | $165,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,749 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,498 | $150,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,449 | $163,973 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,070 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,047 | $164,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 991 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 980 | $106,000 |
| Consultant | 946 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 811 | $135,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $170,000, based on 367 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 30% higher than the national Senior Data Engineer H-1B median of $130,520 across all U.S. locations. It is also 10% higher than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $76,116 range from the 10th percentile ($133,884) to the 90th percentile ($210,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $153,088 and $191,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AIRBNB is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 25 certified filings at a median salary of $191,000. The pay spread across top employers is 48%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Data Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 367 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 Data Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Data Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $170,000, based on 367 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $133,884
- 25th percentile
- $153,088
- Median
- $170,000
- 75th percentile
- $191,000
- 90th percentile
- $210,000
The salary distribution for Senior Data Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $133,884, while the 90th percentile earns $210,000. This $76,116 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Senior Data Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 30% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Data Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Data Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Data Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. AIRBNB leads with 25 filings at a median salary of $191,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $128,750 to $191,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Data 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, 367 H-1B positions for Senior Data 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.