Software Dev Engineer II H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 52 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Dev Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $189,799. That's 14% higher than the national Software Dev Engineer II H-1B median of $165,800 across all U.S. locations, and 15% higher than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $164,349. Software Dev Engineer II ranks #56 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Dev Engineer II H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,823 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Dev Engineer II hiring.
Software Dev Engineer II H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $48,640 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $178,300 and $209,900, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Dev Engineer IIs land. The median of $189,799 sits 14% higher than the national Software Dev Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $174,960
- 25th percentile
- $178,300
- Median
- $189,799
- 75th percentile
- $209,900
- 90th percentile
- $223,600
Top Employers Hiring Software Dev Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Dev Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA, with 49 certified filings (94% of local Software Dev Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $189,799. Among the top sponsors, A9.COM pays the highest median at $198,900. The pay spread across top employers is 14%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 14% ($174,960 at AMAZON ADVERTISING to $198,900 at A9.COM)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 49 | $189,799 |
| A9.COM | 2 | $198,900 |
| AMAZON ADVERTISING | 1 | $174,960 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Software Dev Engineer II 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 Palo Alto, CA, which tells you whether Software Dev Engineer II pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Dev Engineer II H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Dev Engineer II is an active H-1B role. Seattle, WA has the most filings (1,151) outside Palo Alto, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $187,741. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 1,151 | $163,862 |
| Bellevue, WA | 313 | $165,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 251 | $175,700 |
| Austin, TX | 159 | $157,000 |
| New York, NY | 109 | $180,000 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 105 | $187,741 |
| Arlington, VA | 74 | $158,300 |
| San Francisco, CA | 61 | $179,400 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Palo Alto, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Dev Engineer II role here (2,197 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $210,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,197 | $156,200 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,267 | $184,080 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 963 | $141,378 |
| Software Engineer II | 674 | $172,931 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 408 | $210,000 |
| Research Scientist | 383 | $140,067 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Staff Engineer | 282 | $207,500 |
| Data Scientist | 281 | $145,000 |
| Developer | 253 | $127,092 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Dev Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA is $189,799, based on 52 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 14% higher than the national Software Dev Engineer II H-1B median of $165,800 across all U.S. locations. It is also 15% higher than the overall H-1B median of $164,349 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $48,640 range from the 10th percentile ($174,960) to the 90th percentile ($223,600). The middle 50% of workers earn between $178,300 and $209,900, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 49 certified filings at a median salary of $189,799. Among the top employers, A9.COM pays the highest median at $198,900. The pay spread across top employers is 14%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Dev Engineer II H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 52 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 Dev Engineer II salary in Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Dev Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA is $189,799, based on 52 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $174,960
- 25th percentile
- $178,300
- Median
- $189,799
- 75th percentile
- $209,900
- 90th percentile
- $223,600
The salary distribution for Software Dev Engineer II roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $174,960, while the 90th percentile earns $223,600. This $48,640 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Software Dev Engineer II salaries in Palo Alto, CA are 45% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Dev Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Dev Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Dev Engineer II roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. AMAZON leads with 49 filings at a median salary of $189,799. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $174,960 to $198,900.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Dev Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Dev Engineer II in Palo Alto, 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, 52 H-1B positions for Software Dev Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, 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.