Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Monica, CA
Employers have filed 148 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in Santa Monica, CA, with a median salary of $161,232. That's 18% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $137,000 across all U.S. locations, and 24% higher than the Santa Monica, CA all-roles H-1B median of $130,000. Senior Software Engineer ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Monica, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Monica, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,348 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Software Engineer hiring.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Monica, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $93,840 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $140,000 and $179,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $161,232 sits 18% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $121,160
- 25th percentile
- $140,000
- Median
- $161,232
- 75th percentile
- $179,000
- 90th percentile
- $215,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in Santa Monica, CA
CORNERSTONE ONDEMAND is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in Santa Monica, CA, with 17 certified filings (11% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $126,000. Among the top sponsors, HULU pays the highest median at $180,054. The pay spread across top employers is 43%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 43% ($126,000 at CORNERSTONE ONDEMAND to $180,054 at HULU)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CORNERSTONE ONDEMAND | 17 | $126,000 |
| HULU, (INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF THE WALT DISNEY ) | 16 | $163,911 |
| ZIPRECRUITER | 15 | $169,500 |
| HULU | 7 | $180,054 |
| INVENTURE CAPITAL | 6 | $174,030 |
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 Santa Monica, 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 (5,106) outside Santa Monica, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 5,106 | $180,960 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 4,872 | $160,000 |
| New York, NY | 3,771 | $160,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 2,894 | $176,033 |
| Austin, TX | 2,477 | $131,600 |
| Seattle, WA | 2,204 | $180,000 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,993 | $128,232 |
| Mountain View, CA | 1,959 | $168,000 |
| Bentonville, AR | 1,870 | $127,654 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,707 | $121,597 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Monica, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Monica, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Software Engineer role here (472 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $147,500.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 472 | $129,667 |
| Software Engineer II | 154 | $147,500 |
| Software Developer | 131 | $139,818 |
| Software Engineer I | 80 | $125,000 |
| Data Scientist | 74 | $112,112 |
| Product Manager | 58 | $134,160 |
| Research Scientist | 57 | $124,240 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 56 | $140,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer in Santa Monica, CA is $161,232, based on 148 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 18% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $137,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 24% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,000 in Santa Monica, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $93,840 range from the 10th percentile ($121,160) to the 90th percentile ($215,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $140,000 and $179,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CORNERSTONE ONDEMAND is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Monica, CA, with 17 certified filings at a median salary of $126,000. Among the top employers, HULU pays the highest median at $180,054. 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 Santa Monica, CA, answered directly from 148 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 Santa Monica, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in Santa Monica, CA is $161,232, based on 148 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $121,160
- 25th percentile
- $140,000
- Median
- $161,232
- 75th percentile
- $179,000
- 90th percentile
- $215,000
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in Santa Monica, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $121,160, while the 90th percentile earns $215,000. This $93,840 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Senior Software Engineer salaries in Santa Monica, CA are 28% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in Santa Monica, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in Santa Monica, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in Santa Monica, CA. CORNERSTONE ONDEMAND leads with 17 filings at a median salary of $126,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $126,000 to $180,054.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Santa Monica, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Santa Monica, 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, 148 H-1B positions for Senior Software Engineers in Santa Monica, 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.