Software Engineer I H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 697 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer I positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $143,200. That's 16% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations, and 9% lower than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $157,477. Software Engineer I ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer I H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #310 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $55,709 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $123,036 and $150,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer Is land. The median of $143,200 sits 16% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $104,291
- 25th percentile
- $123,036
- Median
- $143,200
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer Is in Sunnyvale, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer I in Sunnyvale, CA, with 645 certified filings (93% of local Software Engineer I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $144,100. Among the top sponsors, FISERV SOLUTIONS pays the highest median at $175,290. The pay spread across top employers is 30%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 30% ($134,458 at UBER TECHNOLOGIES to $175,290 at FISERV SOLUTIONS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 645 | $144,100 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES | 16 | $150,000 |
| UBER TECHNOLOGIES | 7 | $134,458 |
| FISERV SOLUTIONS | 6 | $175,290 |
| AMAZON ADVERTISING | 3 | $148,400 |
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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, 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 |
| 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer I role here (16,285 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 16,285 | $168,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,575 | $160,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,146 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,701 | $175,800 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,661 | $142,800 |
| Program Manager | 1,248 | $161,000 |
| Software Developer | 974 | $120,931 |
| Project Manager | 689 | $139,443 |
| QA Engineer | 678 | $134,000 |
| Data Scientist | 613 | $146,307 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I in Sunnyvale, CA is $143,200, based on 697 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 16% higher than the national Software Engineer I H-1B median of $123,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 9% lower than the overall H-1B median of $157,477 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $55,709 range from the 10th percentile ($104,291) to the 90th percentile ($160,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $123,036 and $150,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 645 certified filings at a median salary of $144,100. Among the top employers, FISERV SOLUTIONS pays the highest median at $175,290. The pay spread across top employers is 30%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 697 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer I positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $143,200, based on 697 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $104,291
- 25th percentile
- $123,036
- Median
- $143,200
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer I roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $104,291, while the 90th percentile earns $160,000. This $55,709 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 Sunnyvale, CA are 10% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer Is in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer I positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer I roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. AMAZON leads with 645 filings at a median salary of $144,100. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $134,458 to $175,290.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer I in Sunnyvale, 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, 697 H-1B positions for Software Engineer Is in Sunnyvale, 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.