Software Engineer II H-1B Salary in Cambridge, MA
Employers have filed 262 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer II positions in Cambridge, MA, with a median salary of $133,300. That's 7% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations, and 16% higher than the Cambridge, MA all-roles H-1B median of $115,000. Software Engineer II ranks #9 among H-1B job titles filed from Cambridge, MA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer II H-1B roles in Cambridge, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,095 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Software Engineer II hiring.
Software Engineer II H-1B Salary Range in Cambridge, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $60,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $112,350 and $152,100, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIs land. The median of $133,300 sits 7% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $100,000
- 25th percentile
- $112,350
- Median
- $133,300
- 75th percentile
- $152,100
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIs in Cambridge, MA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer II in Cambridge, MA, with 109 certified filings (42% of local Software Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $150,000. Among the top sponsors, AUDIBLE pays the highest median at $158,400. The pay spread across top employers is 38%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 38% ($114,486 at AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES to $158,400 at AUDIBLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 109 | $150,000 |
| AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES | 72 | $114,486 |
| AUDIBLE | 43 | $158,400 |
| CAMBRIDGE MOBILE TELEMATICS | 7 | $123,300 |
| QUICKBASE | 4 | $115,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Software Engineer II 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 Cambridge, MA, which tells you whether Software Engineer II pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Engineer II H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Engineer II is an active H-1B role. Seattle, WA has the most filings (7,913) outside Cambridge, MA. The highest median among these is East Palo Alto, CA at $178,700. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 7,913 | $150,000 |
| New York, NY | 1,702 | $160,500 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 1,651 | $176,000 |
| Bellevue, WA | 1,410 | $154,100 |
| Austin, TX | 1,391 | $145,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,047 | $164,000 |
| Boston, MA | 895 | $145,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 842 | $133,000 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 759 | $177,800 |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 755 | $178,700 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Cambridge, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Cambridge, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer II role here (1,330 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $150,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 1,330 | $143,000 |
| Research Scientist | 1,264 | $108,000 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 605 | $122,000 |
| Associate Research Associate | 509 | $66,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 488 | $150,000 |
| Research Scientist II | 437 | $115,828 |
| Research Associate | 314 | $67,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | 291 | $86,250 |
| Principal Research Associate | 247 | $69,216 |
| Research Scientist I | 230 | $97,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II in Cambridge, MA is $133,300, based on 262 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 16% higher than the overall H-1B median of $115,000 in Cambridge, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $60,000 range from the 10th percentile ($100,000) to the 90th percentile ($160,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $112,350 and $152,100, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Cambridge, MA, with 109 certified filings at a median salary of $150,000. Among the top employers, AUDIBLE pays the highest median at $158,400. The pay spread across top employers is 38%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Engineer II H-1B roles in Cambridge, MA, answered directly from 262 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 II salary in Cambridge, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II positions in Cambridge, MA is $133,300, based on 262 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $100,000
- 25th percentile
- $112,350
- Median
- $133,300
- 75th percentile
- $152,100
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer II roles in Cambridge, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $100,000, while the 90th percentile earns $160,000. This $60,000 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 II salaries in Cambridge, MA are 2% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIs in Cambridge, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer II positions in Cambridge, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer II roles specifically in Cambridge, MA. AMAZON leads with 109 filings at a median salary of $150,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $114,486 to $158,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Cambridge, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Cambridge, MA, 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, 262 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIs in Cambridge, MA 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.