Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 1,640 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $121,597. That's 10% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations, and 1% higher than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. Senior Software Engineer ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #77 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Senior Software Engineer hiring.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $55,566 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $111,322 and $133,370, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $121,597 sits 10% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $101,109
- 25th percentile
- $111,322
- Median
- $121,597
- 75th percentile
- $133,370
- 90th percentile
- $156,675
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in San Diego, CA
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 701 certified filings (43% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $114,252. Among the top sponsors, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT pays the highest median at $158,653. The pay spread across top employers is 43%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 43% ($111,322 at QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER to $158,653 at SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 701 | $114,252 |
| QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER | 167 | $111,322 |
| INTUIT | 127 | $135,000 |
| SERVICENOW | 69 | $136,795 |
| SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT | 46 | $158,653 |
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 San Diego, 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 (4,749) outside San Diego, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 4,749 | $180,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 4,316 | $159,370 |
| New York, NY | 3,365 | $151,819 |
| San Jose, CA | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Austin, TX | 2,201 | $128,100 |
| Seattle, WA | 1,998 | $176,000 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,829 | $128,232 |
| Mountain View, CA | 1,806 | $166,962 |
| Bentonville, AR | 1,650 | $126,000 |
| Irving, TX | 1,497 | $120,640 |
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 Software 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 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 753 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 606 | $111,322 |
| 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 Software Engineer in San Diego, CA is $121,597, based on 1,640 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 10% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 1% higher than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $55,566 range from the 10th percentile ($101,109) to the 90th percentile ($156,675). The middle 50% of workers earn between $111,322 and $133,370, 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 701 certified filings at a median salary of $114,252. Among the top employers, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT pays the highest median at $158,653. The pay spread across top employers is 43%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 1,640 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $121,597, based on 1,640 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $101,109
- 25th percentile
- $111,322
- Median
- $121,597
- 75th percentile
- $133,370
- 90th percentile
- $156,675
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $101,109, while the 90th percentile earns $156,675. This $55,566 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Senior Software Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA are 7% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. QUALCOMM leads with 701 filings at a median salary of $114,252. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $111,322 to $158,653.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software 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, 1,640 H-1B positions for Senior Software 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.