Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 2,204 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $180,000. That's 31% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $137,000 across all U.S. locations, and 25% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $143,700. Senior Software Engineer ranks #7 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #57 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Senior Software Engineer hiring.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $81,182 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $155,418 and $200,200, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $180,000 sits 31% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $134,098
- 25th percentile
- $155,418
- Median
- $180,000
- 75th percentile
- $200,200
- 90th percentile
- $215,280
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in Seattle, WA
UBER TECHNOLOGIES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in Seattle, WA, with 214 certified filings (10% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $206,800. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 23% ($168,709 at EXPEDIA to $206,800 at UBER TECHNOLOGIES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UBER TECHNOLOGIES | 214 | $206,800 |
| ZILLOW | 162 | $189,787 |
| EXPEDIA | 157 | $168,709 |
| DOCUSIGN | 71 | $185,200 |
| SOCIAL FINANCE | 71 | $205,000 |
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 Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, WA. 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 |
| 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 |
| Irving, TX | 1,606 | $123,281 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Software Engineer role here (10,788 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $185,037.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 10,788 | $160,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 8,347 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,322 | $125,000 |
| Software Dev Engineer II | 2,391 | $170,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,326 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,249 | $160,000 |
| Software Dev Engineer I | 1,893 | $129,000 |
| Program Manager III | 1,621 | $148,600 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,428 | $185,037 |
| Research Scientist II | 1,278 | $160,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer in Seattle, WA is $180,000, based on 2,204 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 31% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $137,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 25% higher than the overall H-1B median of $143,700 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $81,182 range from the 10th percentile ($134,098) to the 90th percentile ($215,280). The middle 50% of workers earn between $155,418 and $200,200, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UBER TECHNOLOGIES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 214 certified filings at a median salary of $206,800. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 2,204 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA is $180,000, based on 2,204 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $134,098
- 25th percentile
- $155,418
- Median
- $180,000
- 75th percentile
- $200,200
- 90th percentile
- $215,280
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $134,098, while the 90th percentile earns $215,280. This $81,182 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 Seattle, WA are 43% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in Seattle, WA. UBER TECHNOLOGIES leads with 214 filings at a median salary of $206,800. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $168,709 to $206,800.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Seattle, WA, 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, 2,204 H-1B positions for Senior Software Engineers in Seattle, WA 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.