Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Boulder, CO
Employers have filed 122 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO, with a median salary of $130,894. That's 3% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations, and 22% higher than the Boulder, CO all-roles H-1B median of $107,536. Senior Software Engineer ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Boulder, CO.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,716 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Software Engineer hiring.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Boulder, CO
The pay distribution for this role spans $59,200 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $112,500 and $147,088, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $130,894 sits 3% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $105,800
- 25th percentile
- $112,500
- Median
- $130,894
- 75th percentile
- $147,088
- 90th percentile
- $165,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in Boulder, CO
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in Boulder, CO, with 43 certified filings (35% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $112,500. Among the top sponsors, WORKDAY pays the highest median at $142,400. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 34% ($106,000 at QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER to $142,400 at WORKDAY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 43 | $112,500 |
| WORKDAY | 28 | $142,400 |
| FANATICS RETAIL GROUP FULFILLMENT | 6 | $131,997 |
| QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER | 5 | $106,000 |
| COVIDIEN | 4 | $118,456 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior Software 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 Boulder, CO, which tells you whether Senior Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. San Francisco, CA has the most filings (4,884) outside Boulder, CO. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 4,884 | $180,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 4,575 | $160,000 |
| New York, NY | 3,530 | $155,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 2,733 | $175,000 |
| Austin, TX | 2,343 | $130,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 2,083 | $179,546 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,918 | $128,232 |
| Mountain View, CA | 1,867 | $167,149 |
| Bentonville, AR | 1,706 | $126,363 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,673 | $121,597 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Boulder, CO
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boulder, CO, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Software Engineer role here (336 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $149,900.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 336 | $129,000 |
| Associate Research Associate | 159 | $65,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 75 | $139,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 74 | $149,900 |
| Assistant Professor | 73 | $106,641 |
| Research Scientist I | 51 | $96,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer in Boulder, CO is $130,894, based on 122 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 3% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations. It is also 22% higher than the overall H-1B median of $107,536 in Boulder, CO across all job titles.
Salaries span a $59,200 range from the 10th percentile ($105,800) to the 90th percentile ($165,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $112,500 and $147,088, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boulder, CO, with 43 certified filings at a median salary of $112,500. Among the top employers, WORKDAY pays the highest median at $142,400. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, answered directly from 122 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 Software Engineer salary in Boulder, CO?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO is $130,894, based on 122 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $105,800
- 25th percentile
- $112,500
- Median
- $130,894
- 75th percentile
- $147,088
- 90th percentile
- $165,000
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in Boulder, CO shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $105,800, while the 90th percentile earns $165,000. This $59,200 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Senior Software Engineer salaries in Boulder, CO are about the same, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in Boulder, CO?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in Boulder, CO. QUALCOMM leads with 43 filings at a median salary of $112,500. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $106,000 to $142,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Boulder, CO?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Boulder, CO, 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, 122 H-1B positions for Senior Software Engineers in Boulder, CO 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.