Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 2,733 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $175,000. That's 29% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations, and 18% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $148,221. Senior Software Engineer ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #43 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 San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $108,286 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $151,644 and $200,855, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $175,000 sits 29% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $131,726
- 25th percentile
- $151,644
- Median
- $175,000
- 75th percentile
- $200,855
- 90th percentile
- $240,012
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in San Jose, CA
ROKU is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 337 certified filings (12% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $192,941. Among the top sponsors, EBAY pays the highest median at $243,142. The pay spread across top employers is 72%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 72% ($141,378 at XILINX to $243,142 at EBAY)
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 Jose, 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 San Jose, 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 |
| 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 |
| Irving, TX | 1,549 | $122,000 |
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 Software Engineer role here (8,782 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Machine Learning Engineer at a median of $184,662.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,782 | $160,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,572 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,331 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,031 | $170,500 |
| Data Scientist | 868 | $160,193 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 868 | $184,662 |
| Software Engineer II | 863 | $133,152 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 859 | $184,080 |
| Accountant | 847 | $108,300 |
| Architect | 790 | $145,123 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer in San Jose, CA is $175,000, based on 2,733 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 29% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations. It is also 18% higher than the overall H-1B median of $148,221 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $108,286 range from the 10th percentile ($131,726) to the 90th percentile ($240,012). The middle 50% of workers earn between $151,644 and $200,855, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ROKU is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 337 certified filings at a median salary of $192,941. Among the top employers, EBAY pays the highest median at $243,142. The pay spread across top employers is 72%, 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 Jose, CA, answered directly from 2,733 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $175,000, based on 2,733 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $131,726
- 25th percentile
- $151,644
- Median
- $175,000
- 75th percentile
- $200,855
- 90th percentile
- $240,012
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $131,726, while the 90th percentile earns $240,012. This $108,286 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 San Jose, CA are 34% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. ROKU leads with 337 filings at a median salary of $192,941. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $141,378 to $243,142.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software 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, 2,733 H-1B positions for Senior Software 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.