Software Engineer II H-1B Visa Salary Data
There have been 33,395 certified H-1B filings for Software Engineer II positions from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median salary is $144,000, which is 10% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,707.
Salary Distribution
Salary Range Distribution
Most Software Engineer II H-1B salaries fall between $119,350 and $165,200.
Median Salary Trend
Software Engineer II salaries have grown 6% from FY 2020 ($142,100) to FY 2026 ($150,000).
Top Employers & Locations
Top Employers for Software Engineer II
| Employer | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 16,970 | $157,900 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES | 922 | $142,110 |
| CAPGEMINI | 570 | $95,701 |
| WALMART | 554 | $82,038 |
| PAYPAL | 554 | $125,160 |
| EBAY | 374 | $131,708 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 333 | $165,000 |
| AUDIBLE | 318 | $160,000 |
| BANK OF AMERICA N.A | 299 | $130,000 |
| WAYFAIR | 246 | $161,500 |
Top Locations for Software Engineer II
| Location | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (all jobs) | 8,107 | $150,000 |
| New York, NY (all jobs) | 1,755 | $160,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA (all jobs) | 1,701 | $175,800 |
| Bellevue, WA (all jobs) | 1,465 | $154,000 |
| Austin, TX (all jobs) | 1,435 | $145,000 |
| San Francisco, CA (all jobs) | 1,081 | $165,000 |
| Boston, MA (all jobs) | 943 | $146,100 |
| San Jose, CA (all jobs) | 863 | $133,152 |
| Santa Clara, CA (all jobs) | 802 | $178,300 |
| East Palo Alto, CA (all jobs) | 776 | $178,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II is $144,000, based on 33,395 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 10% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,707. Median pay has grown 6% since FY 2020 ($142,100 → $150,000).
Salaries span a $89,127 range from the 10th percentile ($95,173) to the 90th percentile ($184,300). The middle 50% of Software Engineer IIs earn between $119,350 and $165,200, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, company tier, and geographic location.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role, with 16,970 certified filings at a median salary of $157,900. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $165,000. The pay spread across top employers is 101%.
Geographically, Seattle, WA has the highest concentration of Software Engineer II H-1B filings (8,107) at a median of $150,000. The highest-paying metro among the top locations is East Palo Alto, CA at $178,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Software Engineer II H-1B salary?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II positions is $144,000, based on 33,395 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This salary is 10% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,707. Compensation varies significantly by employer type—large tech companies typically pay $165,200 to $184,300, while consulting firms and smaller employers may offer $95,173 to $119,350. Location also impacts pay, with coastal tech hubs commanding premium salaries.
- 10th percentile
- $95,173
- 25th percentile
- $119,350
- Median
- $144,000
- 75th percentile
- $165,200
- 90th percentile
- $184,300
Salaries range from $95,173 at the 10th percentile to $184,300 at the 90th percentile, showing a $89,127 spread. The 25th percentile is $119,350 and the 75th percentile is $165,200.
Which companies hire the most Software Engineer IIs on H-1B?
H-1B sponsorship for Software Engineer II positions spans various industries and employer types. The top sponsors reflect where demand for this role is highest, with compensation varying based on employer size, industry sector, and geographic location. Larger employers often have established visa sponsorship programs and immigration support.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer II positions with 16,970 filings at a median salary of $157,900. AMAZON.COM SERVICES follows with 922 filings.
Where are Software Engineer II H-1B jobs located?
Software Engineer II H-1B positions are concentrated in major tech hubs and metropolitan areas with strong technology ecosystems. The San Francisco Bay Area (including San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View) and Seattle-Redmond corridor dominate due to headquarters of major tech employers. New York City attracts Software Engineer IIs across finance, media, and tech sectors. Emerging hubs like Austin, Denver, and Raleigh-Durham offer growing opportunities with lower costs of living compared to coastal cities.
Seattle, WA has the highest concentration of Software Engineer II H-1B filings with 8,107 positions at a median salary of $150,000. The highest-paying location is Sunnyvale, CA at $175,800 median.
How have Software Engineer II salaries changed over time?
Software Engineer II H-1B salaries have grown by +6% from FY 2020 to FY 2026, outpacing general inflation in most years. The median rose from $142,100 to $150,000 during this period. This growth reflects increasing demand for skilled tech workers, competitive hiring among major employers, and broader salary inflation in the technology sector. The distribution has also widened, with top-tier companies offering increasingly premium compensation to attract talent, while entry-level positions have seen more modest gains.
Year-by-year breakdown:
- FY 2022: $135,000 (5,934 certified)
- FY 2023: $145,006 (4,804 certified)
- FY 2024: $155,800 (5,997 certified)
- FY 2025: $152,100 (5,229 certified)
- FY 2026: $150,000 (1,701 certified)