Software Engineer III H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 188 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer III positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $185,000. That's 34% higher than the national Software Engineer III H-1B median of $137,600 across all U.S. locations, and 13% higher than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $163,000. Software Engineer III ranks #15 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer III H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,635 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Software Engineer III hiring.
Software Engineer III H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $93,057 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $167,149 and $221,200, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIIs land. The median of $185,000 sits 34% higher than the national Software Engineer III H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $145,725
- 25th percentile
- $167,149
- Median
- $185,000
- 75th percentile
- $221,200
- 90th percentile
- $238,782
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIIs in Palo Alto, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer III in Palo Alto, CA, with 92 certified filings (49% of local Software Engineer III H-1B filings) at a median salary of $216,000. Among the top sponsors, A9.COM pays the highest median at $216,300. The pay spread across top employers is 65%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 65% ($130,894 at WORKDAY to $216,300 at A9.COM)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 92 | $216,000 |
| JPMORGAN CHASE | 39 | $170,900 |
| A9.COM | 20 | $216,300 |
| A9.COM | 9 | $177,400 |
| WORKDAY | 8 | $130,894 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Software Engineer III 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 Palo Alto, CA, which tells you whether Software Engineer III pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Engineer III H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Engineer III is an active H-1B role. Bentonville, AR has the most filings (2,140) outside Palo Alto, CA. The highest median among these is Bellevue, WA at $166,256. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Bentonville, AR | 2,140 | $105,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 2,094 | $160,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 1,612 | $142,391 |
| San Jose, CA | 1,299 | $155,000 |
| Austin, TX | 591 | $137,600 |
| Bellevue, WA | 562 | $166,256 |
| Dallas, TX | 561 | $115,000 |
| New York, NY | 553 | $164,000 |
| Plano, TX | 447 | $135,400 |
| Atlanta, GA | 333 | $122,616 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Palo Alto, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer III role here (2,120 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $210,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,120 | $155,746 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,225 | $182,610 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 948 | $141,334 |
| Software Engineer II | 655 | $172,931 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 389 | $210,000 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Research Scientist | 359 | $140,000 |
| Staff Engineer | 280 | $207,392 |
| Data Scientist | 267 | $143,291 |
| Developer | 252 | $127,092 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer III in Palo Alto, CA is $185,000, based on 188 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 34% higher than the national Software Engineer III H-1B median of $137,600 across all U.S. locations. It is also 13% higher than the overall H-1B median of $163,000 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $93,057 range from the 10th percentile ($145,725) to the 90th percentile ($238,782). The middle 50% of workers earn between $167,149 and $221,200, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 92 certified filings at a median salary of $216,000. Among the top employers, A9.COM pays the highest median at $216,300. The pay spread across top employers is 65%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Engineer III H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 188 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 III salary in Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer III positions in Palo Alto, CA is $185,000, based on 188 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $145,725
- 25th percentile
- $167,149
- Median
- $185,000
- 75th percentile
- $221,200
- 90th percentile
- $238,782
The salary distribution for Software Engineer III roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $145,725, while the 90th percentile earns $238,782. This $93,057 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 III salaries in Palo Alto, CA are 42% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIIs in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer III positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer III roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. AMAZON leads with 92 filings at a median salary of $216,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $130,894 to $216,300.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer III in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer III in Palo Alto, 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, 188 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIIs in Palo Alto, 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.