Software Engineer I H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 5,269 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer I positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $125,000. That's 2% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations, and 12% lower than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,110. Software Engineer I ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer I H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #16 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 Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $38,392 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $110,500 and $130,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer Is land. The median of $125,000 sits 2% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $101,608
- 25th percentile
- $110,500
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $130,000
- 90th percentile
- $140,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer Is in Seattle, WA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer I in Seattle, WA, with 4,656 certified filings (88% of local Software Engineer I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $125,700. The pay spread across top employers is 14%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 14% ($110,635 at AMAZON DATA SERVICES to $125,700 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 4,656 | $125,700 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES | 220 | $120,000 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 87 | $110,635 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 50 | $112,000 |
| F5 | 30 | $115,000 |
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 Seattle, WA, 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. Austin, TX has the most filings (809) outside Seattle, WA. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 264 | $145,500 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer I role here (10,229 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $185,037.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 10,229 | $159,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 8,107 | $150,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,234 | $149,700 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,167 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,083 | $179,546 |
| Program Manager III | 1,521 | $147,000 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,383 | $185,037 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,212 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
| Software Dev Engineer II | 1,151 | $163,862 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I in Seattle, WA is $125,000, based on 5,269 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% 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 $142,110 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $38,392 range from the 10th percentile ($101,608) to the 90th percentile ($140,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $110,500 and $130,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 4,656 certified filings at a median salary of $125,700. The pay spread across top employers is 14%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 5,269 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I positions in Seattle, WA is $125,000, based on 5,269 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $101,608
- 25th percentile
- $110,500
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $130,000
- 90th percentile
- $140,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer I roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $101,608, while the 90th percentile earns $140,000. This $38,392 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 Seattle, WA are 4% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer Is in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer I positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer I roles specifically in Seattle, WA. AMAZON leads with 4,656 filings at a median salary of $125,700. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $110,635 to $125,700.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Seattle, WA, 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, 5,269 H-1B positions for Software Engineer Is in Seattle, WA 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.