Software Engineer II H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 1,651 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer II positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $176,000. That's 22% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations, and 12% higher than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $157,269. Software Engineer II ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer II H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #75 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer II hiring.
Software Engineer II H-1B Salary Range in Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $74,434 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $153,000 and $187,741, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIs land. The median of $176,000 sits 22% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $130,894
- 25th percentile
- $153,000
- Median
- $176,000
- 75th percentile
- $187,741
- 90th percentile
- $205,328
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIs in Sunnyvale, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer II in Sunnyvale, CA, with 1,505 certified filings (91% of local Software Engineer II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $177,601. The pay spread across top employers is 48%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 48% ($120,000 at WALMART to $177,601 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 1,505 | $177,601 |
| WALMART | 33 | $120,000 |
| UBER | 27 | $149,000 |
| OATH HOLDINGS | 7 | $135,084 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 6 | $174,960 |
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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, 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 |
| 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 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 655 | $172,931 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer II role here (15,458 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 15,458 | $167,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,316 | $159,370 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,039 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,612 | $142,391 |
| Program Manager | 1,215 | $161,000 |
| Software Developer | 943 | $120,600 |
| Project Manager | 681 | $137,363 |
| Software Engineer I | 680 | $142,400 |
| QA Engineer | 655 | $133,718 |
| Data Scientist | 575 | $145,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II in Sunnyvale, CA is $176,000, based on 1,651 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 22% higher than the national Software Engineer II H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 12% higher than the overall H-1B median of $157,269 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $74,434 range from the 10th percentile ($130,894) to the 90th percentile ($205,328). The middle 50% of workers earn between $153,000 and $187,741, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 1,505 certified filings at a median salary of $177,601. The pay spread across top employers is 48%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 1,651 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer II positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $176,000, based on 1,651 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $130,894
- 25th percentile
- $153,000
- Median
- $176,000
- 75th percentile
- $187,741
- 90th percentile
- $205,328
The salary distribution for Software Engineer II roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $130,894, while the 90th percentile earns $205,328. This $74,434 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 Sunnyvale, CA are 35% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIs in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer II positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer II roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. AMAZON leads with 1,505 filings at a median salary of $177,601. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $120,000 to $177,601.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer II in Sunnyvale, 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, 1,651 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIs in Sunnyvale, 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.