Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Washington, DC
Employers have filed 155 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in Washington, DC, with a median salary of $122,300. That's 10% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations, and 21% higher than the Washington, DC all-roles H-1B median of $101,400. Senior Software Engineer ranks #14 among H-1B job titles filed from Washington, DC.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in Washington, DC, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,089 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Software Engineer hiring.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Washington, DC
The pay distribution for this role spans $64,971 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $115,300 and $144,600, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $122,300 sits 10% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $100,000
- 25th percentile
- $115,300
- Median
- $122,300
- 75th percentile
- $144,600
- 90th percentile
- $164,971
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in Washington, DC
OPTUM SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in Washington, DC, with 18 certified filings (12% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $128,247. Among the top sponsors, COSTAR REALTY INFORMATION pays the highest median at $170,000. The pay spread across top employers is 47%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 47% ($115,520 at EAB GLOBAL to $170,000 at COSTAR REALTY INFORMATION)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| OPTUM SERVICES | 18 | $128,247 |
| WP | 10 | $122,300 |
| EAB GLOBAL | 10 | $115,520 |
| BAE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS & SERVICES | 7 | $117,894 |
| COSTAR REALTY INFORMATION | 6 | $170,000 |
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 Washington, DC, 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 Washington, DC. 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 |
| San Jose, CA | 2,733 | $175,000 |
| 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 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Washington, DC
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Washington, DC, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Senior Software Engineer role here (1,022 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Associate at a median of $195,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 1,022 | $100,000 |
| Software Engineer | 504 | $110,240 |
| Associate | 346 | $195,000 |
| Consultant | 291 | $109,999 |
| Architect | 277 | $103,938 |
| Secondary Teacher | 243 | $65,000 |
| Manager | 240 | $119,500 |
| Assistant Professor | 233 | $100,000 |
| Accountant | 190 | $103,320 |
| Systems Analyst | 183 | $100,069 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer in Washington, DC is $122,300, based on 155 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 $135,304 across all U.S. locations. It is also 21% higher than the overall H-1B median of $101,400 in Washington, DC across all job titles.
Salaries span a $64,971 range from the 10th percentile ($100,000) to the 90th percentile ($164,971). The middle 50% of workers earn between $115,300 and $144,600, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
OPTUM SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Washington, DC, with 18 certified filings at a median salary of $128,247. Among the top employers, COSTAR REALTY INFORMATION pays the highest median at $170,000. The pay spread across top employers is 47%, 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 Washington, DC, answered directly from 155 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 Washington, DC?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in Washington, DC is $122,300, based on 155 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $100,000
- 25th percentile
- $115,300
- Median
- $122,300
- 75th percentile
- $144,600
- 90th percentile
- $164,971
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in Washington, DC shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $100,000, while the 90th percentile earns $164,971. This $64,971 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 Washington, DC are 6% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in Washington, DC?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in Washington, DC are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in Washington, DC. OPTUM SERVICES leads with 18 filings at a median salary of $128,247. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $115,520 to $170,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Washington, DC?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Washington, DC, 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, 155 H-1B positions for Senior Software Engineers in Washington, DC 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.