Software Engineer III H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 2,094 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer III positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $160,000. That's 16% higher than the national Software Engineer III H-1B median of $137,600 across all U.S. locations, and 13% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,000. Software Engineer III ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer III H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #53 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 Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $71,780 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $154,000 and $198,200, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineer IIIs land. The median of $160,000 sits 16% higher than the national Software Engineer III H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $140,920
- 25th percentile
- $154,000
- Median
- $160,000
- 75th percentile
- $198,200
- 90th percentile
- $212,700
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineer IIIs in Seattle, WA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer III in Seattle, WA, with 1,894 certified filings (90% of local Software Engineer III H-1B filings) at a median salary of $160,000. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $163,862. The pay spread across top employers is 10%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 10% ($149,058 at F5 to $163,862 at AMAZON DATA SERVICES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 1,894 | $160,000 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 21 | $163,862 |
| F5 | 19 | $149,058 |
| JPMORGAN CHASE | 15 | $162,750 |
| AMAZON ADVERTISING | 14 | $157,500 |
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 Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, WA. 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 |
| 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 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 329 | $155,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer III role here (9,911 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $184,900.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,911 | $158,500 |
| Software Engineer II | 7,913 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,155 | $125,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,174 | $149,500 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,998 | $176,000 |
| Program Manager III | 1,470 | $147,630 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,311 | $184,900 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,170 | $119,600 |
| Research Scientist II | 1,087 | $157,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer III in Seattle, WA is $160,000, based on 2,094 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 16% 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 $142,000 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $71,780 range from the 10th percentile ($140,920) to the 90th percentile ($212,700). The middle 50% of workers earn between $154,000 and $198,200, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 1,894 certified filings at a median salary of $160,000. Among the top employers, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $163,862. The pay spread across top employers is 10%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 2,094 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer III positions in Seattle, WA is $160,000, based on 2,094 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $140,920
- 25th percentile
- $154,000
- Median
- $160,000
- 75th percentile
- $198,200
- 90th percentile
- $212,700
The salary distribution for Software Engineer III roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $140,920, while the 90th percentile earns $212,700. This $71,780 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 Seattle, WA are 23% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineer IIIs in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer III positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer III roles specifically in Seattle, WA. AMAZON leads with 1,894 filings at a median salary of $160,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $149,058 to $163,862.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer III in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer III in Seattle, WA, 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, 2,094 H-1B positions for Software Engineer IIIs in Seattle, WA 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.