Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 55 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Mechanical Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $155,043. That's 30% higher than the national Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B median of $118,810 across all U.S. locations, and 3% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $150,000. Senior Mechanical Engineer ranks #138 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,781 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Mechanical Engineer hiring.
Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $69,607 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $135,200 and $170,960, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Mechanical Engineers land. The median of $155,043 sits 30% higher than the national Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $116,262
- 25th percentile
- $135,200
- Median
- $155,043
- 75th percentile
- $170,960
- 90th percentile
- $185,869
Top Employers Hiring Senior Mechanical Engineers in San Jose, CA
VEECO INSTRUMENTS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Mechanical Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 6 certified filings (11% of local Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $158,995. Among the top sponsors, WERIDE pays the highest median at $172,500. The pay spread across top employers is 37%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 37% ($125,757 at AUTOX TECHNOLOGIES to $172,500 at WERIDE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VEECO INSTRUMENTS | 6 | $158,995 |
| HERMES MICROVISION | 6 | $158,285 |
| ASML US | 6 | $155,043 |
| WERIDE | 3 | $172,500 |
| AUTOX TECHNOLOGIES | 3 | $125,757 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior Mechanical 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 Jose, CA, which tells you whether Senior Mechanical Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Mechanical Engineer is an active H-1B role. Phoenix, AZ has the most filings (106) outside San Jose, CA. The highest median among these is Irvine, CA at $132,550. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 106 | $101,504 |
| Houston, TX | 62 | $111,213 |
| Irvine, CA | 57 | $132,550 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Jose, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Jose, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Mechanical Engineer role here (9,425 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Machine Learning Engineer at a median of $186,874.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,425 | $162,485 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,894 | $176,033 |
| Software Developer | 1,620 | $120,640 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,360 | $155,375 |
| Product Manager | 1,140 | $173,157 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 981 | $186,874 |
| Data Scientist | 963 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 909 | $185,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 899 | $133,875 |
| Accountant | 859 | $109,453 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Mechanical Engineer in San Jose, CA is $155,043, based on 55 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 30% higher than the national Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B median of $118,810 across all U.S. locations. It is also 3% higher than the overall H-1B median of $150,000 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $69,607 range from the 10th percentile ($116,262) to the 90th percentile ($185,869). The middle 50% of workers earn between $135,200 and $170,960, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
VEECO INSTRUMENTS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 6 certified filings at a median salary of $158,995. Among the top employers, WERIDE pays the highest median at $172,500. The pay spread across top employers is 37%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Mechanical Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, answered directly from 55 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 Mechanical Engineer salary in San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Mechanical Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $155,043, based on 55 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $116,262
- 25th percentile
- $135,200
- Median
- $155,043
- 75th percentile
- $170,960
- 90th percentile
- $185,869
The salary distribution for Senior Mechanical Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $116,262, while the 90th percentile earns $185,869. This $69,607 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Senior Mechanical Engineer salaries in San Jose, CA are 23% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Mechanical Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Mechanical Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Mechanical Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. VEECO INSTRUMENTS leads with 6 filings at a median salary of $158,995. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $125,757 to $172,500.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Mechanical Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Mechanical Engineer in San Jose, 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, 55 H-1B positions for Senior Mechanical Engineers in San Jose, 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.