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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Software Engineer I H-1B Salary in Portland, OR

Employers have filed 55 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer I positions in Portland, OR, with a median salary of $112,000. That's 9% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations, and 11% higher than the Portland, OR all-roles H-1B median of $100,714. Software Engineer I ranks #15 among H-1B job titles filed from Portland, OR.

Headline numbers for Software Engineer I H-1B roles in Portland, OR, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,153 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Engineer I hiring.

$112,000
Median Salary
55
Certified Filings
$73,757
10th Percentile
$136,000
90th Percentile

Software Engineer I H-1B Salary Range in Portland, OR

The pay distribution for this role spans $62,243 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $81,627 and $129,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer Is land. The median of $112,000 sits 9% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median.

10th percentile
$73,757
25th percentile
$81,627
Median
$112,000
75th percentile
$129,000
90th percentile
$136,000
Middle 50% of Software Engineer I H-1B salaries in Portland, OR: $81,627 to $129,000

Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer Is in Portland, OR

AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer I in Portland, OR, with 35 certified filings (64% of local Software Engineer I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $112,000. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $129,000. The pay spread across top employers is 58%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 58% ($81,627 at MIDAMERICAN ENERGY to $129,000 at AMAZON DATA SERVICES)

Employer Filings Median Salary
AMAZON 35 $112,000
ELEMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES 18 $110,500
AMAZON DATA SERVICES 1 $129,000
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY 1 $81,627

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 Portland, OR, which tells you whether Software Engineer I pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Software Engineer I
-9%
9% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000.
vs. Portland, OR Average
+11%
11% higher than the overall H-1B median in Portland, OR ($100,714).

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 (5,155) outside Portland, OR. 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 5,155 $125,000
Austin, TX 797 $124,000
New York, NY 796 $129,000
Bellevue, WA 713 $129,000
Sunnyvale, CA 680 $142,400
Arlington, VA 496 $129,000
East Palo Alto, CA 495 $146,000
San Francisco, CA 429 $135,720
Boston, MA 370 $120,000
San Diego, CA 269 $109,656

Other H-1B Jobs in Portland, OR

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Portland, OR, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer I role here (386 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $130,928.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 386 $110,344
Software Developer 379 $96,000
Architect 186 $97,944
Assistant Professor 181 $130,928
Research Associate 148 $60,091
Senior Software Engineer 125 $125,424
Project Manager 111 $100,339
Consultant 110 $90,000
Data Engineer 90 $101,683
Physician 88 $71,272

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I in Portland, OR is $112,000, based on 55 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% lower than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% higher than the overall H-1B median of $100,714 in Portland, OR across all job titles.

Salaries span a $62,243 range from the 10th percentile ($73,757) to the 90th percentile ($136,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,627 and $129,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Portland, OR, with 35 certified filings at a median salary of $112,000. Among the top employers, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $129,000. The pay spread across top employers is 58%, 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 Portland, OR, answered directly from 55 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 Portland, OR?

The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I positions in Portland, OR is $112,000, based on 55 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$73,757
25th percentile
$81,627
Median
$112,000
75th percentile
$129,000
90th percentile
$136,000

The salary distribution for Software Engineer I roles in Portland, OR shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $73,757, while the 90th percentile earns $136,000. This $62,243 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Software Engineer I salaries in Portland, OR are 14% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Software Engineer Is in Portland, OR?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer I positions in Portland, OR are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer I roles specifically in Portland, OR. AMAZON leads with 35 filings at a median salary of $112,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $81,627 to $129,000.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Portland, OR?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Portland, OR, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 55 H-1B positions for Software Engineer Is in Portland, OR 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.