Senior Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 92 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $126,880. That's 1% lower than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median of $128,027 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,224. Senior Engineer ranks #50 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,696 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Engineer hiring.
Senior Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $47,320 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $117,021 and $136,282, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Engineers land. The median of $126,880 sits 1% lower than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $105,186
- 25th percentile
- $117,021
- Median
- $126,880
- 75th percentile
- $136,282
- 90th percentile
- $152,506
Top Employers Hiring Senior Engineers in San Diego, CA
SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 48 certified filings (52% of local Senior Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $128,000. Among the top sponsors, SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR pays the highest median at $152,506. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 19% ($128,000 at SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR to $152,506 at SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR | 48 | $128,000 |
| MEDIATEK USA | 7 | $129,000 |
| PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES STORES | 3 | $132,256 |
| ARM | 3 | $152,027 |
| SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR | 3 | $152,506 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior 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 Diego, CA, which tells you whether Senior Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Engineer is an active H-1B role. Phoenix, AZ has the most filings (801) outside San Diego, CA. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $168,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 801 | $144,672 |
| Austin, TX | 365 | $126,495 |
| New York, NY | 297 | $168,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 259 | $150,000 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 219 | $113,776 |
| Boston, MA | 139 | $160,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 119 | $147,368 |
| Sunrise, FL | 108 | $145,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 99 | $120,000 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 91 | $127,327 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Engineer role here (2,748 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,748 | $125,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,673 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,436 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 767 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 613 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 553 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 456 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 363 | $130,000 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 349 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 330 | $108,971 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Engineer in San Diego, CA is $126,880, based on 92 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 1% lower than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median of $128,027 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $120,224 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $47,320 range from the 10th percentile ($105,186) to the 90th percentile ($152,506). The middle 50% of workers earn between $117,021 and $136,282, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 48 certified filings at a median salary of $128,000. Among the top employers, SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR pays the highest median at $152,506. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, answered directly from 92 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 Engineer salary in San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $126,880, based on 92 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $105,186
- 25th percentile
- $117,021
- Median
- $126,880
- 75th percentile
- $136,282
- 90th percentile
- $152,506
The salary distribution for Senior Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $105,186, while the 90th percentile earns $152,506. This $47,320 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Senior Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA are 3% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR leads with 48 filings at a median salary of $128,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $128,000 to $152,506.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Engineer in San Diego, 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, 92 H-1B positions for Senior Engineers in San Diego, 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.