Software Engineer II H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 841 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer II positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $179,200. That's 24% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,200 across all U.S. locations, and 16% higher than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Software Engineer II ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer II H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #247 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 Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $76,506 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $153,493 and $190,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIs land. The median of $179,200 sits 24% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $130,894
- 25th percentile
- $153,493
- Median
- $179,200
- 75th percentile
- $190,000
- 90th percentile
- $207,400
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIs in Santa Clara, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer II in Santa Clara, CA, with 658 certified filings (78% of local Software Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $183,703. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $184,662. The pay spread across top employers is 49%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 49% ($124,000 at AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES to $184,662 at AMAZON DATA SERVICES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 658 | $183,703 |
| NETSKOPE | 22 | $130,894 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 19 | $184,662 |
| AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES | 18 | $124,000 |
| EMC | 18 | $133,000 |
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 Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, 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 | 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 |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 791 | $178,700 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 695 | $172,931 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Clara, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer II role here (4,674 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $201,053.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 4,674 | $150,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,527 | $157,477 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,298 | $133,400 |
| Hardware Engineer | 932 | $163,778 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 898 | $179,396 |
| Architect | 757 | $163,800 |
| QA Engineer | 594 | $125,000 |
| Software Developer | 571 | $127,000 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 557 | $201,053 |
| Chemical Engineer | 490 | $135,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II in Santa Clara, CA is $179,200, based on 841 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 24% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,200 across all U.S. locations. It is also 16% higher than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $76,506 range from the 10th percentile ($130,894) to the 90th percentile ($207,400). The middle 50% of workers earn between $153,493 and $190,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 658 certified filings at a median salary of $183,703. Among the top employers, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $184,662. The pay spread across top employers is 49%, 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 841 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II positions in Santa Clara, CA is $179,200, based on 841 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $130,894
- 25th percentile
- $153,493
- Median
- $179,200
- 75th percentile
- $190,000
- 90th percentile
- $207,400
The salary distribution for Software Engineer II roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $130,894, while the 90th percentile earns $207,400. This $76,506 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 Santa Clara, CA are 42% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIs in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer II positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer II roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. AMAZON leads with 658 filings at a median salary of $183,703. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $124,000 to $184,662.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Santa Clara, 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, 841 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIs in Santa Clara, 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.