Software Designer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 130 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Designer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $162,225. That's 8% higher than the national Software Designer H-1B median of $149,791 across all U.S. locations, and 11% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Software Designer ranks #61 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Designer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,491 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Designer hiring.
Software Designer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $63,645 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $144,320 and $180,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Designers land. The median of $162,225 sits 8% higher than the national Software Designer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $130,055
- 25th percentile
- $144,320
- Median
- $162,225
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- 90th percentile
- $193,700
Top Employers Hiring Software Designers in San Jose, CA
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Designer in San Jose, CA, with 126 certified filings (97% of local Software Designer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $162,225. Among the top sponsors, IBM pays the highest median at $192,941. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 19% ($162,225 at HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE to $192,941 at IBM)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE | 126 | $162,225 |
| IBM | 4 | $192,941 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Software Designer 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 Software Designer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Designer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Designer is an active H-1B role. Santa Clara, CA has the most filings (65) outside San Jose, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara, CA | 65 | $154,669 |
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-Software Designer role here (8,169 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $183,646.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,544 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,299 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 918 | $167,632 |
| Software Engineer II | 842 | $133,000 |
| Accountant | 805 | $108,000 |
| Data Scientist | 805 | $158,952 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 802 | $183,646 |
| Architect | 770 | $144,800 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Designer in San Jose, CA is $162,225, based on 130 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 8% higher than the national Software Designer H-1B median of $149,791 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% higher than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $63,645 range from the 10th percentile ($130,055) to the 90th percentile ($193,700). The middle 50% of workers earn between $144,320 and $180,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 126 certified filings at a median salary of $162,225. Among the top employers, IBM pays the highest median at $192,941. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Designer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, answered directly from 130 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 Software Designer salary in San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Designer positions in San Jose, CA is $162,225, based on 130 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $130,055
- 25th percentile
- $144,320
- Median
- $162,225
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- 90th percentile
- $193,700
The salary distribution for Software Designer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $130,055, while the 90th percentile earns $193,700. This $63,645 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Software Designer salaries in San Jose, CA are 24% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Designers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Designer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Designer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE leads with 126 filings at a median salary of $162,225. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $162,225 to $192,941.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Designer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Designer 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, 130 H-1B positions for Software Designers 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.