Senior QA Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 606 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior QA Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $111,322. That's about the same as the national Senior QA Engineer H-1B median of $111,322 across all U.S. locations, and 7% lower than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. Senior QA Engineer ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior QA Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #365 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Senior QA Engineer hiring.
Senior QA Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $28,288 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $101,109 and $121,597, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior QA Engineers land. The median of $111,322 sits about the same as the national Senior QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $98,592
- 25th percentile
- $101,109
- Median
- $111,322
- 75th percentile
- $121,597
- 90th percentile
- $126,880
Top Employers Hiring Senior QA Engineers in San Diego, CA
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior QA Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 358 certified filings (59% of local Senior QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $111,322. Among the top sponsors, BECTON, DICKINSON AND pays the highest median at $120,000. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 19% ($101,109 at QUALCOMM ATHEROS to $120,000 at BECTON, DICKINSON AND)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 358 | $111,322 |
| SERVICENOW | 51 | $103,522 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 26 | $101,109 |
| BECTON, DICKINSON AND | 18 | $120,000 |
| ILLUMINA | 17 | $102,024 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior QA 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 QA Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior QA Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior QA Engineer is an active H-1B role. Austin, TX has the most filings (361) outside San Diego, CA. The highest median among these is Sunnyvale, CA at $145,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 361 | $109,928 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 285 | $141,378 |
| Fremont, CA | 244 | $140,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 243 | $141,378 |
| Natick, MA | 213 | $118,934 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 187 | $145,000 |
| New York, NY | 167 | $124,842 |
| Warsaw, IN | 154 | $83,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 153 | $143,800 |
| Irving, TX | 152 | $100,000 |
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 QA Engineer role here (2,661 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 | 2,661 | $122,720 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,640 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 753 | $96,742 |
| Software Developer | 524 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 448 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 352 | $128,502 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 348 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 315 | $108,766 |
| Asics Engineer | 313 | $104,562 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior QA Engineer in San Diego, CA is $111,322, based on 606 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is about the same as the national Senior QA Engineer H-1B median of $111,322 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% lower than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $28,288 range from the 10th percentile ($98,592) to the 90th percentile ($126,880). The middle 50% of workers earn between $101,109 and $121,597, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 358 certified filings at a median salary of $111,322. Among the top employers, BECTON, DICKINSON AND pays the highest median at $120,000. 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 QA Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, answered directly from 606 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 QA Engineer salary in San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior QA Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $111,322, based on 606 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $98,592
- 25th percentile
- $101,109
- Median
- $111,322
- 75th percentile
- $121,597
- 90th percentile
- $126,880
The salary distribution for Senior QA Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $98,592, while the 90th percentile earns $126,880. This $28,288 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Senior QA Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA are 15% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior QA Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior QA Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior QA Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. QUALCOMM leads with 358 filings at a median salary of $111,322. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $101,109 to $120,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior QA Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior QA 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, 606 H-1B positions for Senior QA 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.