Software Developer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 553 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Developer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $111,322. That's 15% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median of $96,886 across all U.S. locations, and 7% lower than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,224. Software Developer ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Developer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #425 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Developer hiring.
Software Developer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $57,034 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $98,592 and $126,880, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Developers land. The median of $111,322 sits 15% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $89,294
- 25th percentile
- $98,592
- Median
- $111,322
- 75th percentile
- $126,880
- 90th percentile
- $146,328
Top Employers Hiring Software Developers in San Diego, CA
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Developer in San Diego, CA, with 39 certified filings (7% of local Software Developer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $146,328. The pay spread across top employers is 43%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 43% ($102,000 at SYSINTELLI to $146,328 at APPLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| APPLE | 39 | $146,328 |
| KFORCE | 38 | $120,224 |
| SYSINTELLI | 37 | $102,000 |
| ORACLE AMERICA | 27 | $146,328 |
| SHUBH SOLUTIONS | 21 | $111,322 |
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 San Diego, 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 San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Developer role here (2,748 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,748 | $125,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,673 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,436 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 767 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 613 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 456 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 363 | $130,000 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 349 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 330 | $108,971 |
| Asics Engineer | 314 | $104,562 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Developer in San Diego, CA is $111,322, based on 553 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 15% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median of $96,886 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% lower than the overall H-1B median of $120,224 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $57,034 range from the 10th percentile ($89,294) to the 90th percentile ($146,328). The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,592 and $126,880, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 39 certified filings at a median salary of $146,328. The pay spread across top employers is 43%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 553 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Developer positions in San Diego, CA is $111,322, based on 553 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $89,294
- 25th percentile
- $98,592
- Median
- $111,322
- 75th percentile
- $126,880
- 90th percentile
- $146,328
The salary distribution for Software Developer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $89,294, while the 90th percentile earns $146,328. This $57,034 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 San Diego, CA are 15% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Developers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Developer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Developer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. APPLE leads with 39 filings at a median salary of $146,328. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $102,000 to $146,328.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Developer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Developer in San Diego, 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, 553 H-1B positions for Software Developers in San Diego, 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.