Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Arlington, VA
Employers have filed 203 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Arlington, VA, with a median salary of $114,026. That's 14% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 8% lower than the Arlington, VA all-roles H-1B median of $124,051. Software Engineer ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Arlington, VA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Arlington, VA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,498 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Arlington, VA
The pay distribution for this role spans $75,058 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $97,406 and $138,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $114,026 sits 14% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $88,442
- 25th percentile
- $97,406
- Median
- $114,026
- 75th percentile
- $138,000
- 90th percentile
- $163,500
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Arlington, VA
MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Arlington, VA, with 29 certified filings (14% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $98,550. Among the top sponsors, GARTNER pays the highest median at $158,400. The pay spread across top employers is 61%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 61% ($98,550 at MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED to $158,400 at GARTNER)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED | 29 | $98,550 |
| MICROSOFT | 15 | $134,100 |
| GARTNER | 7 | $158,400 |
| AILERON CONSULTING | 7 | $105,000 |
| YEXT | 7 | $110,240 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Software Engineer 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 Arlington, VA, which tells you whether Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. Redmond, WA has the most filings (23,374) outside Arlington, VA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $190,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Redmond, WA | 23,374 | $155,289 |
| Mountain View, CA | 19,967 | $167,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 15,458 | $167,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 12,596 | $165,000 |
| New York, NY | 11,602 | $160,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 9,911 | $158,500 |
| San Jose, CA | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 8,126 | $190,000 |
| Bellevue, WA | 7,788 | $161,250 |
| Austin, TX | 6,127 | $125,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Arlington, VA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Arlington, VA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer I is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (496 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $154,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer I | 496 | $129,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 474 | $154,000 |
| Program Manager III | 164 | $150,000 |
| Software Developer | 141 | $106,080 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 139 | $132,000 |
| Consultant | 134 | $106,454 |
| Program Manager II | 128 | $127,100 |
| Product Manager III | 120 | $152,000 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 105 | $121,200 |
| Data Engineer II | 92 | $142,100 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Arlington, VA is $114,026, based on 203 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 14% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 8% lower than the overall H-1B median of $124,051 in Arlington, VA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $75,058 range from the 10th percentile ($88,442) to the 90th percentile ($163,500). The middle 50% of workers earn between $97,406 and $138,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Arlington, VA, with 29 certified filings at a median salary of $98,550. Among the top employers, GARTNER pays the highest median at $158,400. The pay spread across top employers is 61%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Engineer H-1B roles in Arlington, VA, answered directly from 203 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 salary in Arlington, VA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Arlington, VA is $114,026, based on 203 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $88,442
- 25th percentile
- $97,406
- Median
- $114,026
- 75th percentile
- $138,000
- 90th percentile
- $163,500
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Arlington, VA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $88,442, while the 90th percentile earns $163,500. This $75,058 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 salaries in Arlington, VA are 13% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Arlington, VA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Arlington, VA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Arlington, VA. MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED leads with 29 filings at a median salary of $98,550. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $98,550 to $158,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Arlington, VA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Arlington, VA, 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, 203 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Arlington, VA 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.