Software Engineer II H-1B Salary in Santa Monica, CA
Employers have filed 154 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer II positions in Santa Monica, CA, with a median salary of $147,500. That's 2% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations, and 13% higher than the Santa Monica, CA all-roles H-1B median of $130,000. Software Engineer II ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Monica, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer II H-1B roles in Santa Monica, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,104 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Engineer II hiring.
Software Engineer II H-1B Salary Range in Santa Monica, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $74,656 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $126,942 and $160,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIs land. The median of $147,500 sits 2% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $102,544
- 25th percentile
- $126,942
- Median
- $147,500
- 75th percentile
- $160,000
- 90th percentile
- $177,200
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIs in Santa Monica, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer II in Santa Monica, CA, with 111 certified filings (72% of local Software Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $152,000. The pay spread across top employers is 17%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 17% ($130,000 at GUMGUM to $152,000 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 111 | $152,000 |
| IMDB.COM | 20 | $144,000 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES | 6 | $150,000 |
| HULU, (INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF THE WALT DISNEY ) | 5 | $139,657 |
| GUMGUM | 2 | $130,000 |
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 Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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 |
| San Jose, CA | 863 | $133,152 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 802 | $178,300 |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 776 | $178,500 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Monica, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Monica, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer II role here (456 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $160,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 456 | $126,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 147 | $160,000 |
| Software Developer | 131 | $139,818 |
| Software Engineer I | 79 | $125,000 |
| Data Scientist | 71 | $112,091 |
| Product Manager | 58 | $134,160 |
| Research Scientist | 54 | $124,240 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 50 | $134,098 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II in Santa Monica, CA is $147,500, based on 154 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 13% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,000 in Santa Monica, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $74,656 range from the 10th percentile ($102,544) to the 90th percentile ($177,200). The middle 50% of workers earn between $126,942 and $160,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Monica, CA, with 111 certified filings at a median salary of $152,000. The pay spread across top employers is 17%, 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 Monica, CA, answered directly from 154 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 Monica, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II positions in Santa Monica, CA is $147,500, based on 154 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $102,544
- 25th percentile
- $126,942
- Median
- $147,500
- 75th percentile
- $160,000
- 90th percentile
- $177,200
The salary distribution for Software Engineer II roles in Santa Monica, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $102,544, while the 90th percentile earns $177,200. This $74,656 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 Santa Monica, CA are 13% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIs in Santa Monica, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer II positions in Santa Monica, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer II roles specifically in Santa Monica, CA. AMAZON leads with 111 filings at a median salary of $152,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $130,000 to $152,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Santa Monica, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Santa Monica, 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, 154 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIs in Santa Monica, 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.