Software Developer H-1B Salary in Foster City, CA
Employers have filed 106 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Developer positions in Foster City, CA, with a median salary of $121,000. That's 25% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median of $96,886 across all U.S. locations, and 13% lower than the Foster City, CA all-roles H-1B median of $138,341. Software Developer ranks #10 among H-1B job titles filed from Foster City, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Developer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,161 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Developer hiring.
Software Developer H-1B Salary Range in Foster City, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $48,738 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $119,122 and $135,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Developers land. The median of $121,000 sits 25% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $100,045
- 25th percentile
- $119,122
- Median
- $121,000
- 75th percentile
- $135,000
- 90th percentile
- $148,783
Top Employers Hiring Software Developers in Foster City, CA
IBM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Developer in Foster City, CA, with 17 certified filings (16% of local Software Developer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $119,122. Among the top sponsors, EMETER pays the highest median at $175,250. The pay spread across top employers is 52%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 52% ($115,000 at THINKLABS to $175,250 at EMETER)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| IBM | 17 | $119,122 |
| QUINSTREET | 10 | $140,000 |
| EMETER | 6 | $175,250 |
| THINKLABS | 4 | $115,000 |
| PROGRAMMER RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL | 3 | $120,931 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Software Developer 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 Foster City, CA, which tells you whether Software Developer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Developer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Developer is an active H-1B role. Irving, TX has the most filings (7,958) outside Foster City, CA. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $110,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Irving, TX | 7,958 | $97,500 |
| Plano, TX | 5,993 | $96,000 |
| Houston, TX | 5,129 | $92,685 |
| New York, NY | 4,289 | $110,000 |
| Austin, TX | 4,217 | $96,866 |
| Charlotte, NC | 3,960 | $101,109 |
| Atlanta, GA | 3,817 | $99,008 |
| Dallas, TX | 3,755 | $98,904 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 3,745 | $92,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 2,925 | $97,800 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Foster City, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Foster City, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Developer role here (521 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Director at a median of $167,700.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 521 | $149,867 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 502 | $144,340 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 319 | $147,368 |
| Director | 150 | $167,700 |
| Research Scientist | 141 | $128,752 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 139 | $113,277 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 132 | $144,126 |
| Data Scientist | 120 | $121,600 |
| QA Engineer | 118 | $123,261 |
| Senior Data Engineer | 97 | $139,589 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Developer in Foster City, CA is $121,000, based on 106 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 25% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median of $96,886 across all U.S. locations. It is also 13% lower than the overall H-1B median of $138,341 in Foster City, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $48,738 range from the 10th percentile ($100,045) to the 90th percentile ($148,783). The middle 50% of workers earn between $119,122 and $135,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
IBM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Foster City, CA, with 17 certified filings at a median salary of $119,122. Among the top employers, EMETER pays the highest median at $175,250. The pay spread across top employers is 52%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Developer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, answered directly from 106 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 Developer salary in Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Developer positions in Foster City, CA is $121,000, based on 106 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $100,045
- 25th percentile
- $119,122
- Median
- $121,000
- 75th percentile
- $135,000
- 90th percentile
- $148,783
The salary distribution for Software Developer roles in Foster City, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $100,045, while the 90th percentile earns $148,783. This $48,738 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Software Developer salaries in Foster City, CA are 7% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Developers in Foster City, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Developer positions in Foster City, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Developer roles specifically in Foster City, CA. IBM leads with 17 filings at a median salary of $119,122. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $115,000 to $175,250.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Developer in Foster City, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Developer in Foster City, 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, 106 H-1B positions for Software Developers in Foster City, 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.