Senior Hardware Engineer H-1B Visa Salary Data
There have been 638 certified H-1B filings for Senior Hardware Engineer positions from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median salary is $124,000, which is 5% lower than the overall H-1B median of $130,707.
Salary Distribution
Salary Range Distribution
Most Senior Hardware Engineer H-1B salaries fall between $106,350 and $150,800.
Median Salary Trend
Senior Hardware Engineer salaries have grown 0% from FY 2020 ($140,000) to FY 2026 ($140,160).
Top Employers & Locations
Top Employers for Senior Hardware Engineer
| Employer | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 221 | $104,562 |
| MICROSOFT | 48 | $165,000 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 37 | $126,464 |
| TESLA | 25 | $162,000 |
| SAMBANOVA SYSTEMS | 18 | $145,000 |
| GENERAL MOTORS | 18 | $138,522 |
| CRUISE | 14 | $185,058 |
| ROBERT BOSCH | 9 | $115,000 |
| LER TECHFORCE | 9 | $100,000 |
| SAMBANOVA SYSTEMS | 7 | $155,000 |
Top Locations for Senior Hardware Engineer
| Location | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA (all jobs) | 178 | $108,930 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 39 | $129,300 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 38 | $155,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 32 | $130,000 |
| Austin, TX | 29 | $130,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 23 | $171,600 |
| Redmond, WA | 22 | $173,000 |
| Raleigh, NC | 15 | $140,000 |
| Warren, MI | 14 | $137,082 |
| Southfield, MI | 12 | $120,438 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Hardware Engineer is $124,000, based on 638 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 5% lower than the overall H-1B median of $130,707.
Salaries span a $83,328 range from the 10th percentile ($101,192) to the 90th percentile ($184,520). The middle 50% of Senior Hardware Engineers earn between $106,350 and $150,800, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, company tier, and geographic location.
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role, with 221 certified filings at a median salary of $104,562. Among the top sponsors, CRUISE pays the highest median at $185,058. The pay spread across top employers is 85%.
Geographically, San Diego, CA has the highest concentration of Senior Hardware Engineer H-1B filings (178) at a median of $108,930. The highest-paying metro among the top locations is Redmond, WA at $173,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Senior Hardware Engineer H-1B salary?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Hardware Engineer positions is $124,000, based on 638 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This salary is 5% lower than the overall H-1B median of $130,707. Compensation varies significantly by employer type—large tech companies typically pay $150,800 to $184,520, while consulting firms and smaller employers may offer $101,192 to $106,350. Location also impacts pay, with coastal tech hubs commanding premium salaries.
- 10th percentile
- $101,192
- 25th percentile
- $106,350
- Median
- $124,000
- 75th percentile
- $150,800
- 90th percentile
- $184,520
Salaries range from $101,192 at the 10th percentile to $184,520 at the 90th percentile, showing a $83,328 spread. The 25th percentile is $106,350 and the 75th percentile is $150,800.
Which companies hire the most Senior Hardware Engineers on H-1B?
H-1B sponsorship for Senior Hardware Engineer positions spans various industries and employer types. The top sponsors reflect where demand for this role is highest, with compensation varying based on employer size, industry sector, and geographic location. Larger employers often have established visa sponsorship programs and immigration support.
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Hardware Engineer positions with 221 filings at a median salary of $104,562. MICROSOFT follows with 48 filings.
Where are Senior Hardware Engineer H-1B jobs located?
Senior Hardware Engineer H-1B positions are concentrated in major tech hubs and metropolitan areas with strong technology ecosystems. The San Francisco Bay Area (including San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View) and Seattle-Redmond corridor dominate due to headquarters of major tech employers. New York City attracts Senior Hardware Engineers across finance, media, and tech sectors. Emerging hubs like Austin, Denver, and Raleigh-Durham offer growing opportunities with lower costs of living compared to coastal cities.
San Diego, CA has the highest concentration of Senior Hardware Engineer H-1B filings with 178 positions at a median salary of $108,930. The highest-paying location is Palo Alto, CA at $155,000 median.
How have Senior Hardware Engineer salaries changed over time?
Senior Hardware Engineer H-1B salaries have changed by 0% from FY 2020 to FY 2026, outpacing general inflation in most years. The median rose from $140,000 to $140,160 during this period. This growth reflects increasing demand for skilled tech workers, competitive hiring among major employers, and broader salary inflation in the technology sector. The distribution has also widened, with top-tier companies offering increasingly premium compensation to attract talent, while entry-level positions have seen more modest gains.
Year-by-year breakdown:
- FY 2022: $115,000 (114 certified)
- FY 2023: $110,000 (99 certified)
- FY 2024: $126,984 (86 certified)
- FY 2025: $133,903 (85 certified)
- FY 2026: $140,160 (24 certified)