Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in South San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 59 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in South San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $170,000. That's 24% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $137,000 across all U.S. locations, and 26% higher than the South San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $135,000. Senior Software Engineer ranks #10 among H-1B job titles filed from South San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in South San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,267 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 South San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $88,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $145,000 and $191,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $170,000 sits 24% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $122,000
- 25th percentile
- $145,000
- Median
- $170,000
- 75th percentile
- $191,000
- 90th percentile
- $210,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in South San Francisco, CA
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in South San Francisco, CA, with 6 certified filings (10% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $167,710. Among the top sponsors, ZIPLINE INTERNATIONAL pays the highest median at $210,000. The pay spread across top employers is 25%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 25% ($167,710 at THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC to $210,000 at ZIPLINE INTERNATIONAL)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC | 6 | $167,710 |
| ZIPLINE INTERNATIONAL | 5 | $210,000 |
| THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC | 4 | $200,907 |
| AKASA | 3 | $167,710 |
| ZIPLINE INTERNATIONAL | 3 | $200,000 |
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 South San Francisco, 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 South San Francisco, 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 South San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from South San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Scientist is the busiest non-Senior Software Engineer role here (413 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Research Scientist at a median of $164,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | 413 | $126,280 |
| Software Engineer | 312 | $156,800 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 238 | $140,000 |
| Consultant | 155 | $162,386 |
| Architect | 90 | $125,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | 90 | $103,771 |
| Data Scientist | 90 | $142,884 |
| Research Scientist II | 77 | $120,000 |
| Associate Consultant | 76 | $137,600 |
| Principal Research Scientist | 58 | $164,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer in South San Francisco, CA is $170,000, based on 59 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 24% higher than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $137,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 26% higher than the overall H-1B median of $135,000 in South San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $88,000 range from the 10th percentile ($122,000) to the 90th percentile ($210,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $145,000 and $191,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in South San Francisco, CA, with 6 certified filings at a median salary of $167,710. Among the top employers, ZIPLINE INTERNATIONAL pays the highest median at $210,000. The pay spread across top employers is 25%, 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 South San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 59 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 South San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in South San Francisco, CA is $170,000, based on 59 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $122,000
- 25th percentile
- $145,000
- Median
- $170,000
- 75th percentile
- $191,000
- 90th percentile
- $210,000
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in South San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $122,000, while the 90th percentile earns $210,000. This $88,000 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 South San Francisco, CA are 35% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in South San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in South San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in South San Francisco, CA. THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC leads with 6 filings at a median salary of $167,710. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $167,710 to $210,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in South San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in South San Francisco, 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, 59 H-1B positions for Senior Software Engineers in South San Francisco, 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.