Software Developer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 1,544 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Developer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $120,578. That's 25% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median of $96,595 across all U.S. locations, and 18% lower than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Software Developer ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Developer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #82 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Developer hiring.
Software Developer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $80,994 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $108,784 and $140,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Developers land. The median of $120,578 sits 25% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $95,430
- 25th percentile
- $108,784
- Median
- $120,578
- 75th percentile
- $140,000
- 90th percentile
- $176,424
Top Employers Hiring Software Developers in San Jose, CA
IBM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Developer in San Jose, CA, with 311 certified filings (20% of local Software Developer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $141,586. Among the top sponsors, EY pays the highest median at $181,800. The pay spread across top employers is 142%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 142% ($75,000 at UP2DATE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS to $181,800 at EY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| IBM | 311 | $141,586 |
| LTIMINDTREE | 138 | $120,578 |
| EY | 62 | $181,800 |
| UP2DATE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 49 | $75,000 |
| SRS CONSULTING | 45 | $111,000 |
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 Jose, 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 (7,823) outside San Jose, CA. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $109,800. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Irving, TX | 7,823 | $96,500 |
| Plano, TX | 5,806 | $95,000 |
| Houston, TX | 5,041 | $92,000 |
| New York, NY | 4,183 | $109,800 |
| Austin, TX | 4,107 | $96,866 |
| Charlotte, NC | 3,788 | $101,109 |
| Atlanta, GA | 3,712 | $99,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 3,631 | $98,904 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 3,622 | $90,250 |
| Chicago, IL | 2,866 | $97,781 |
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 Developer role here (8,169 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Machine Learning Engineer at a median of $184,662.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| 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 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 749 | $184,662 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Developer in San Jose, CA is $120,578, based on 1,544 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 $96,595 across all U.S. locations. It is also 18% lower than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $80,994 range from the 10th percentile ($95,430) to the 90th percentile ($176,424). The middle 50% of workers earn between $108,784 and $140,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
IBM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 311 certified filings at a median salary of $141,586. Among the top employers, EY pays the highest median at $181,800. The pay spread across top employers is 142%, 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 Jose, CA, answered directly from 1,544 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Developer positions in San Jose, CA is $120,578, based on 1,544 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $95,430
- 25th percentile
- $108,784
- Median
- $120,578
- 75th percentile
- $140,000
- 90th percentile
- $176,424
The salary distribution for Software Developer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $95,430, while the 90th percentile earns $176,424. This $80,994 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Software Developer salaries in San Jose, CA are 8% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Developers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Developer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Developer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. IBM leads with 311 filings at a median salary of $141,586. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $75,000 to $181,800.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Developer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Developer 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, 1,544 H-1B positions for Software Developers 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.