Software Engineer I H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 429 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer I positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $135,720. That's 10% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations, and 12% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Software Engineer I ranks #23 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer I H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #586 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer I hiring.
Software Engineer I H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $57,736 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $120,000 and $148,400, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer Is land. The median of $135,720 sits 10% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $98,779
- 25th percentile
- $120,000
- Median
- $135,720
- 75th percentile
- $148,400
- 90th percentile
- $156,515
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer Is in San Francisco, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer I in San Francisco, CA, with 226 certified filings (53% of local Software Engineer I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $148,350. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 51% ($98,000 at NISUM TECHNOLOGIES to $148,350 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 226 | $148,350 |
| TWITCH INTERACTIVE | 39 | $145,000 |
| X CORP | 32 | $139,000 |
| NISUM TECHNOLOGIES | 23 | $98,000 |
| 18 | $133,785 |
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 San Francisco, CA, 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 (5,155) outside San Francisco, CA. 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 |
| Boston, MA | 370 | $120,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 269 | $109,656 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 251 | $145,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer I role here (12,596 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 12,596 | $165,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,749 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,498 | $150,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,449 | $163,973 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,070 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,047 | $164,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 991 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 980 | $106,000 |
| Consultant | 946 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 811 | $135,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I in San Francisco, CA is $135,720, based on 429 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 10% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 12% lower than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $57,736 range from the 10th percentile ($98,779) to the 90th percentile ($156,515). The middle 50% of workers earn between $120,000 and $148,400, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 226 certified filings at a median salary of $148,350. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, 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 San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 429 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 San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I positions in San Francisco, CA is $135,720, based on 429 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $98,779
- 25th percentile
- $120,000
- Median
- $135,720
- 75th percentile
- $148,400
- 90th percentile
- $156,515
The salary distribution for Software Engineer I roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $98,779, while the 90th percentile earns $156,515. This $57,736 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 San Francisco, CA are 4% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer Is in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer I positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer I roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. AMAZON leads with 226 filings at a median salary of $148,350. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $98,000 to $148,350.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in San Francisco, 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, 429 H-1B positions for Software Engineer Is in San Francisco, 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.