Software Engineer III H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 1,299 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer III positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $155,000. That's 13% higher than the national Software Engineer III H-1B median of $137,600 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Software Engineer III ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer III H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #120 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer III hiring.
Software Engineer III H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $37,230 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $145,000 and $165,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIIs land. The median of $155,000 sits 13% higher than the national Software Engineer III H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $136,020
- 25th percentile
- $145,000
- Median
- $155,000
- 75th percentile
- $165,000
- 90th percentile
- $173,250
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIIs in San Jose, CA
PAYPAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer III in San Jose, CA, with 586 certified filings (45% of local Software Engineer III H-1B filings) at a median salary of $152,370. Among the top sponsors, HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE pays the highest median at $166,962. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 19% ($140,000 at ASML US to $166,962 at HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| PAYPAL | 586 | $152,370 |
| EBAY | 540 | $160,000 |
| ASML US | 25 | $140,000 |
| HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE | 23 | $166,962 |
| F5 | 20 | $164,800 |
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 San Jose, 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 San Jose, 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 |
| 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 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 329 | $155,000 |
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 III role here (8,169 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 | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,544 | $120,578 |
| Product Manager | 918 | $167,632 |
| Software Engineer II | 842 | $133,000 |
| Accountant | 805 | $108,000 |
| Data Scientist | 805 | $158,952 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 802 | $183,646 |
| Architect | 770 | $144,800 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 749 | $184,662 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer III in San Jose, CA is $155,000, based on 1,299 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 13% higher than the national Software Engineer III H-1B median of $137,600 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $37,230 range from the 10th percentile ($136,020) to the 90th percentile ($173,250). The middle 50% of workers earn between $145,000 and $165,000, 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 586 certified filings at a median salary of $152,370. Among the top employers, HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE pays the highest median at $166,962. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, 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 San Jose, CA, answered directly from 1,299 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 San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer III positions in San Jose, CA is $155,000, based on 1,299 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $136,020
- 25th percentile
- $145,000
- Median
- $155,000
- 75th percentile
- $165,000
- 90th percentile
- $173,250
The salary distribution for Software Engineer III roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $136,020, while the 90th percentile earns $173,250. This $37,230 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 San Jose, CA are 19% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIIs in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer III positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer III roles specifically in San Jose, CA. PAYPAL leads with 586 filings at a median salary of $152,370. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $140,000 to $166,962.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer III in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer III 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, 1,299 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIIs 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.