Software Engineer I H-1B Salary in Boston, MA
Employers have filed 401 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer I positions in Boston, MA, with a median salary of $120,000. That's 2% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations, and 9% higher than the Boston, MA all-roles H-1B median of $110,000. Software Engineer I ranks #16 among H-1B job titles filed from Boston, MA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer I H-1B roles in Boston, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #660 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer I hiring.
Software Engineer I H-1B Salary Range in Boston, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $52,727 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $109,656 and $129,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer Is land. The median of $120,000 sits 2% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $87,173
- 25th percentile
- $109,656
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $129,000
- 90th percentile
- $139,900
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer Is in Boston, MA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer I in Boston, MA, with 273 certified filings (68% of local Software Engineer I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $123,100. Among the top sponsors, MCKINSEY & , . UNITED STATES pays the highest median at $139,800. The pay spread across top employers is 27%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 27% ($109,656 at PILLPACK to $139,800 at MCKINSEY & , . UNITED STATES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 273 | $123,100 |
| WAYFAIR | 39 | $120,000 |
| CHEWY | 27 | $115,000 |
| PILLPACK | 9 | $109,656 |
| MCKINSEY & , . UNITED STATES | 6 | $139,800 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Software Engineer I 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 Boston, MA, which tells you whether Software Engineer I pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Engineer I H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Engineer I is an active H-1B role. Seattle, WA has the most filings (5,269) outside Boston, MA. The highest median among these is East Palo Alto, CA at $146,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 5,269 | $125,000 |
| Austin, TX | 809 | $123,878 |
| New York, NY | 808 | $130,000 |
| Bellevue, WA | 740 | $129,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 697 | $143,200 |
| Arlington, VA | 508 | $129,000 |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 505 | $146,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 443 | $136,700 |
| San Diego, CA | 271 | $109,656 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 264 | $145,500 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Boston, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boston, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Fellow is the busiest non-Software Engineer I role here (1,863 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $146,100.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Fellow | 1,863 | $65,000 |
| Software Engineer | 1,394 | $110,240 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,378 | $135,658 |
| Software Engineer II | 943 | $146,100 |
| Software Developer | 908 | $105,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 726 | $121,296 |
| Consultant | 701 | $115,000 |
| Research Scientist | 688 | $86,700 |
| Accountant | 587 | $91,441 |
| Architect | 556 | $91,874 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I in Boston, MA is $120,000, based on 401 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 9% higher than the overall H-1B median of $110,000 in Boston, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $52,727 range from the 10th percentile ($87,173) to the 90th percentile ($139,900). The middle 50% of workers earn between $109,656 and $129,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boston, MA, with 273 certified filings at a median salary of $123,100. Among the top employers, MCKINSEY & , . UNITED STATES pays the highest median at $139,800. The pay spread across top employers is 27%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Engineer I H-1B roles in Boston, MA, answered directly from 401 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 Engineer I salary in Boston, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I positions in Boston, MA is $120,000, based on 401 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $87,173
- 25th percentile
- $109,656
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $129,000
- 90th percentile
- $139,900
The salary distribution for Software Engineer I roles in Boston, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $87,173, while the 90th percentile earns $139,900. This $52,727 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Software Engineer I salaries in Boston, MA are 8% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer Is in Boston, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer I positions in Boston, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer I roles specifically in Boston, MA. AMAZON leads with 273 filings at a median salary of $123,100. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $109,656 to $139,800.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Boston, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Boston, MA, 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, 401 H-1B positions for Software Engineer Is in Boston, MA 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.