Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Foster City, CA
Employers have filed 502 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA, with a median salary of $144,340. That's 7% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations, and 4% higher than the Foster City, CA all-roles H-1B median of $138,341. Senior Software Engineer ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Foster City, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #496 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Senior Software Engineer hiring.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Foster City, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $94,400 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $120,931 and $181,272, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $144,340 sits 7% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $113,600
- 25th percentile
- $120,931
- Median
- $144,340
- 75th percentile
- $181,272
- 90th percentile
- $208,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in Foster City, CA
VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in Foster City, CA, with 138 certified filings (27% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $123,000. Among the top sponsors, ZOOX pays the highest median at $203,000. The pay spread across top employers is 67%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 67% ($121,763 at CYBERSOURCE to $203,000 at ZOOX)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS | 138 | $123,000 |
| CYBERSOURCE | 80 | $121,763 |
| VISA U.S.A. | 55 | $121,763 |
| ZOOX | 53 | $203,000 |
| QUALYS | 23 | $135,000 |
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 Foster City, CA, 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 Foster City, CA. 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 Foster City, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Foster City, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Software Engineer role here (521 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Director at a median of $167,700.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 521 | $149,867 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 319 | $147,368 |
| Director | 150 | $167,700 |
| Research Scientist | 141 | $128,752 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 139 | $113,277 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 132 | $144,126 |
| Data Scientist | 120 | $121,600 |
| QA Engineer | 118 | $123,261 |
| Software Developer | 106 | $121,000 |
| Senior Data Engineer | 97 | $139,589 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer in Foster City, CA is $144,340, based on 502 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% higher than the overall H-1B median of $138,341 in Foster City, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $94,400 range from the 10th percentile ($113,600) to the 90th percentile ($208,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $120,931 and $181,272, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Foster City, CA, with 138 certified filings at a median salary of $123,000. Among the top employers, ZOOX pays the highest median at $203,000. The pay spread across top employers is 67%, 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 Foster City, CA, answered directly from 502 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 Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA is $144,340, based on 502 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $113,600
- 25th percentile
- $120,931
- Median
- $144,340
- 75th percentile
- $181,272
- 90th percentile
- $208,000
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in Foster City, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $113,600, while the 90th percentile earns $208,000. This $94,400 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 Foster City, CA are 10% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in Foster City, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in Foster City, CA. VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS leads with 138 filings at a median salary of $123,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $121,763 to $203,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Foster City, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Foster City, 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, 502 H-1B positions for Senior Software Engineers in Foster City, 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.