Software Developer H-1B Salary in Santa Monica, CA
Employers have filed 131 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Developer positions in Santa Monica, CA, with a median salary of $139,818. That's 45% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median of $96,595 across all U.S. locations, and 8% higher than the Santa Monica, CA all-roles H-1B median of $129,667. Software Developer ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Monica, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Developer H-1B roles in Santa Monica, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,453 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Developer hiring.
Software Developer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Monica, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $63,093 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $116,500 and $157,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Developers land. The median of $139,818 sits 45% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $96,907
- 25th percentile
- $116,500
- Median
- $139,818
- 75th percentile
- $157,000
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Developers in Santa Monica, CA
HULU is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Developer in Santa Monica, CA, with 57 certified filings (44% of local Software Developer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 30%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 30% ($115,000 at COMPUNNEL to $150,000 at HULU)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| HULU | 57 | $150,000 |
| ORACLE | 20 | $129,667 |
| TRANSPLANT CONNECT | 6 | $116,500 |
| KFORCE | 6 | $121,160 |
| COMPUNNEL | 6 | $115,000 |
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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Monica, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Developer role here (450 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $160,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 450 | $125,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 151 | $147,500 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 145 | $160,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 79 | $125,000 |
| Data Scientist | 70 | $112,091 |
| Product Manager | 57 | $132,000 |
| Research Scientist | 54 | $124,240 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Developer in Santa Monica, CA is $139,818, based on 131 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 45% higher than the national Software Developer H-1B median of $96,595 across all U.S. locations. It is also 8% higher than the overall H-1B median of $129,667 in Santa Monica, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $63,093 range from the 10th percentile ($96,907) to the 90th percentile ($160,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $116,500 and $157,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
HULU is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Monica, CA, with 57 certified filings at a median salary of $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 30%, 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 Santa Monica, CA, answered directly from 131 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 Santa Monica, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Developer positions in Santa Monica, CA is $139,818, based on 131 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $96,907
- 25th percentile
- $116,500
- Median
- $139,818
- 75th percentile
- $157,000
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
The salary distribution for Software Developer roles in Santa Monica, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $96,907, while the 90th percentile earns $160,000. This $63,093 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 Santa Monica, CA are 7% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Developers in Santa Monica, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Developer positions in Santa Monica, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Developer roles specifically in Santa Monica, CA. HULU leads with 57 filings at a median salary of $150,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $115,000 to $150,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Developer in Santa Monica, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Developer in Santa Monica, 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, 131 H-1B positions for Software Developers in Santa Monica, 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.