Senior Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 127 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $147,144. That's 14% higher than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median of $128,538 across all U.S. locations, and 6% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $156,959. Senior Engineer ranks #69 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,770 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Engineer hiring.
Senior Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $102,300 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $119,122 and $170,406, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Engineers land. The median of $147,144 sits 14% higher than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $97,700
- 25th percentile
- $119,122
- Median
- $147,144
- 75th percentile
- $170,406
- 90th percentile
- $200,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Engineers in San Francisco, CA
SHIPT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 25 certified filings (20% of local Senior Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $161,637. The pay spread across top employers is 74%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 74% ($92,934 at THORNTON TOMASETTI to $161,637 at SHIPT)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SHIPT | 25 | $161,637 |
| ARUP US | 12 | $114,546 |
| THORNTON TOMASETTI | 8 | $92,934 |
| SEPHORA USA | 7 | $145,000 |
| DOLBY LABORATORIES | 7 | $123,510 |
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 Francisco, 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 (805) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $169,468. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 805 | $144,697 |
| Austin, TX | 393 | $126,178 |
| New York, NY | 312 | $169,468 |
| San Jose, CA | 282 | $151,091 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 222 | $113,776 |
| Boston, MA | 146 | $159,500 |
| Sunrise, FL | 109 | $144,653 |
| Chicago, IL | 104 | $120,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 98 | $159,480 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 93 | $129,500 |
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 Engineer role here (13,951 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $212,472.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,951 | $167,710 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 5,106 | $180,960 |
| Data Scientist | 1,623 | $151,882 |
| Product Manager | 1,588 | $165,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,125 | $165,000 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,118 | $212,472 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,099 | $210,000 |
| Accountant | 1,052 | $108,500 |
| Consultant | 1,010 | $120,994 |
| Associate | 908 | $140,900 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $147,144, based on 127 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 14% higher than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median of $128,538 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% lower than the overall H-1B median of $156,959 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $102,300 range from the 10th percentile ($97,700) to the 90th percentile ($200,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $119,122 and $170,406, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SHIPT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 25 certified filings at a median salary of $161,637. The pay spread across top employers is 74%, 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 Francisco, CA, answered directly from 127 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 Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $147,144, based on 127 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $97,700
- 25th percentile
- $119,122
- Median
- $147,144
- 75th percentile
- $170,406
- 90th percentile
- $200,000
The salary distribution for Senior Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $97,700, while the 90th percentile earns $200,000. This $102,300 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Senior Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 17% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. SHIPT leads with 25 filings at a median salary of $161,637. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $92,934 to $161,637.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior 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, 127 H-1B positions for Senior 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.