Software Engineer II H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 863 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer II positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $133,152. That's 8% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations, and 10% lower than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $148,221. Software Engineer II ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer II H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #229 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer II hiring.
Software Engineer II H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $32,929 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $125,000 and $140,670, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIs land. The median of $133,152 sits 8% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,000
- 25th percentile
- $125,000
- Median
- $133,152
- 75th percentile
- $140,670
- 90th percentile
- $152,929
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIs in San Jose, CA
PAYPAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer II in San Jose, CA, with 364 certified filings (42% of local Software Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $130,500. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON pays the highest median at $174,400. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 34% ($130,500 at PAYPAL to $174,400 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| PAYPAL | 364 | $130,500 |
| EBAY | 244 | $133,000 |
| CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS | 30 | $137,482 |
| AMAZON | 28 | $174,400 |
| BILL OPERATIONS | 20 | $165,000 |
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 San Jose, 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 (8,107) outside San Jose, CA. The highest median among these is East Palo Alto, CA at $178,500. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 8,107 | $150,000 |
| New York, NY | 1,755 | $160,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 1,701 | $175,800 |
| Bellevue, WA | 1,465 | $154,000 |
| Austin, TX | 1,435 | $145,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,081 | $165,000 |
| Boston, MA | 943 | $146,100 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 802 | $178,300 |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 776 | $178,500 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 674 | $172,931 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Jose, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Jose, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer II role here (8,782 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Machine Learning Engineer at a median of $184,662.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,782 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,733 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,572 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,331 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,031 | $170,500 |
| Data Scientist | 868 | $160,193 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 868 | $184,662 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 859 | $184,080 |
| Accountant | 847 | $108,300 |
| Architect | 790 | $145,123 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II in San Jose, CA is $133,152, based on 863 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 8% lower than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 10% lower than the overall H-1B median of $148,221 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $32,929 range from the 10th percentile ($120,000) to the 90th percentile ($152,929). The middle 50% of workers earn between $125,000 and $140,670, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
PAYPAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 364 certified filings at a median salary of $130,500. Among the top employers, AMAZON pays the highest median at $174,400. 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 San Jose, CA, answered directly from 863 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II positions in San Jose, CA is $133,152, based on 863 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,000
- 25th percentile
- $125,000
- Median
- $133,152
- 75th percentile
- $140,670
- 90th percentile
- $152,929
The salary distribution for Software Engineer II roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,000, while the 90th percentile earns $152,929. This $32,929 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 II salaries in San Jose, CA are 2% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIs in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer II positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer II roles specifically in San Jose, CA. PAYPAL leads with 364 filings at a median salary of $130,500. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $130,500 to $174,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in San Jose, 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, 863 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIs in San Jose, 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.