Software Engineer II H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 352 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer II positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $128,502. That's 11% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations, and 7% higher than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. Software Engineer II ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer II H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #746 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 San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $72,408 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $109,001 and $154,400, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIs land. The median of $128,502 sits 11% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $98,592
- 25th percentile
- $109,001
- Median
- $128,502
- 75th percentile
- $154,400
- 90th percentile
- $171,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIs in San Diego, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer II in San Diego, CA, with 152 certified filings (43% of local Software Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $154,400. The pay spread across top employers is 53%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 53% ($101,109 at TUSIMPLE to $154,400 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 152 | $154,400 |
| TUSIMPLE | 47 | $101,109 |
| SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT | 38 | $130,000 |
| TRUIST BANK | 9 | $115,357 |
| BRAIN | 8 | $126,880 |
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 San Diego, 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 (7,913) outside San Diego, CA. 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 San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer II role here (2,661 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,661 | $122,720 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,640 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 753 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 606 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 524 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 448 | $133,370 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 348 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 315 | $108,766 |
| Asics Engineer | 313 | $104,562 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II in San Diego, CA is $128,502, based on 352 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 11% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% higher than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $72,408 range from the 10th percentile ($98,592) to the 90th percentile ($171,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $109,001 and $154,400, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 152 certified filings at a median salary of $154,400. The pay spread across top employers is 53%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 352 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II positions in San Diego, CA is $128,502, based on 352 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $98,592
- 25th percentile
- $109,001
- Median
- $128,502
- 75th percentile
- $154,400
- 90th percentile
- $171,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer II roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $98,592, while the 90th percentile earns $171,000. This $72,408 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 San Diego, CA are 2% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIs in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer II positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer II roles specifically in San Diego, CA. AMAZON leads with 152 filings at a median salary of $154,400. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $101,109 to $154,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in San Diego, 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, 352 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIs in San Diego, 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.