Software Engineer I H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 264 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer I positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $145,500. That's 18% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations, and 5% lower than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $153,010. Software Engineer I ranks #18 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer I H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,126 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Software Engineer I hiring.
Software Engineer I H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $41,814 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $128,000 and $149,845, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer Is land. The median of $145,500 sits 18% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $115,586
- 25th percentile
- $128,000
- Median
- $145,500
- 75th percentile
- $149,845
- 90th percentile
- $157,400
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer Is in Santa Clara, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer I in Santa Clara, CA, with 243 certified filings (92% of local Software Engineer I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $146,307. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON.COM SERVICES pays the highest median at $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 47%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 47% ($101,800 at ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES to $150,000 at AMAZON.COM SERVICES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 243 | $146,307 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 7 | $139,300 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES | 5 | $150,000 |
| ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES | 2 | $101,800 |
| DELL MARKETING | 2 | $131,520 |
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 Santa Clara, 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 (5,269) outside Santa Clara, 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 | 5,269 | $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 |
| Boston, MA | 401 | $120,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 271 | $109,656 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Clara, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer I role here (4,455 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $200,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 4,455 | $149,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,455 | $156,951 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,267 | $131,470 |
| Hardware Engineer | 896 | $163,717 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 865 | $179,396 |
| Software Engineer II | 802 | $178,300 |
| Architect | 711 | $165,000 |
| QA Engineer | 557 | $123,283 |
| Software Developer | 554 | $126,693 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 524 | $200,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I in Santa Clara, CA is $145,500, based on 264 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 18% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% lower than the overall H-1B median of $153,010 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $41,814 range from the 10th percentile ($115,586) to the 90th percentile ($157,400). The middle 50% of workers earn between $128,000 and $149,845, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 243 certified filings at a median salary of $146,307. Among the top employers, AMAZON.COM SERVICES pays the highest median at $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 47%, 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 264 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I positions in Santa Clara, CA is $145,500, based on 264 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $115,586
- 25th percentile
- $128,000
- Median
- $145,500
- 75th percentile
- $149,845
- 90th percentile
- $157,400
The salary distribution for Software Engineer I roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $115,586, while the 90th percentile earns $157,400. This $41,814 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 Santa Clara, CA are 11% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer Is in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer I positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer I roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. AMAZON leads with 243 filings at a median salary of $146,307. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $101,800 to $150,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Santa Clara, 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, 264 H-1B positions for Software Engineer Is in Santa Clara, 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.