Software Engineer II H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 695 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $172,931. That's 20% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,200 across all U.S. locations, and 5% higher than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $165,000. Software Engineer II ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer II H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #341 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer II hiring.
Software Engineer II H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $65,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $149,100 and $185,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIs land. The median of $172,931 sits 20% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $135,000
- 25th percentile
- $149,100
- Median
- $172,931
- 75th percentile
- $185,000
- 90th percentile
- $200,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA, with 402 certified filings (58% of local Software Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $180,300. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 34% ($135,000 at ARGO AI to $180,300 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 402 | $180,300 |
| ARGO AI | 39 | $135,000 |
| RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE | 38 | $155,000 |
| A9.COM | 37 | $158,300 |
| 29 | $172,931 |
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 Palo Alto, CA, 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 (8,347) outside Palo Alto, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $179,200. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 8,347 | $150,000 |
| New York, NY | 1,832 | $160,500 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 1,744 | $175,800 |
| Bellevue, WA | 1,543 | $154,400 |
| Austin, TX | 1,502 | $145,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,125 | $165,000 |
| Boston, MA | 972 | $146,300 |
| San Jose, CA | 899 | $133,875 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 841 | $179,200 |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 791 | $178,700 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Palo Alto, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer II role here (2,407 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $210,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,407 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,318 | $184,600 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 1,006 | $142,000 |
| Research Scientist | 463 | $145,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 423 | $210,000 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 288 | $145,000 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 284 | $174,304 |
| Staff Engineer | 282 | $207,500 |
| Research Scientist II | 272 | $184,662 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA is $172,931, based on 695 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 20% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,200 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% higher than the overall H-1B median of $165,000 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $65,000 range from the 10th percentile ($135,000) to the 90th percentile ($200,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $149,100 and $185,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 402 certified filings at a median salary of $180,300. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, 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 Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 695 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 Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA is $172,931, based on 695 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $135,000
- 25th percentile
- $149,100
- Median
- $172,931
- 75th percentile
- $185,000
- 90th percentile
- $200,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer II roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $135,000, while the 90th percentile earns $200,000. This $65,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Software Engineer II salaries in Palo Alto, CA are 37% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer II positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer II roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. AMAZON leads with 402 filings at a median salary of $180,300. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $135,000 to $180,300.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Palo Alto, 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, 695 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIs in Palo Alto, 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.