Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Bellevue, WA
Employers have filed 8,681 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Bellevue, WA, with a median salary of $163,862. That's 21% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations, and 14% higher than the Bellevue, WA all-roles H-1B median of $144,123. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Bellevue, WA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Bellevue, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #10 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Bellevue, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $100,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $136,800 and $195,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $163,862 sits 21% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,000
- 25th percentile
- $136,800
- Median
- $163,862
- 75th percentile
- $195,000
- 90th percentile
- $220,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Bellevue, WA
MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Bellevue, WA, with 2,578 certified filings (30% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $150,335. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $200,000. The pay spread across top employers is 33%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 33% ($150,335 at MICROSOFT to $200,000 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| MICROSOFT | 2,578 | $150,335 |
| META | 2,120 | $200,000 |
| SALESFORCE | 706 | $189,292 |
| 306 | $160,000 | |
| BYTEDANCE | 272 | $190,000 |
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 Bellevue, WA, 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 (25,202) outside Bellevue, WA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $190,807. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Redmond, WA | 25,202 | $157,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 21,815 | $168,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 17,432 | $168,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 13,951 | $167,710 |
| New York, NY | 13,246 | $163,884 |
| Seattle, WA | 10,788 | $160,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 9,425 | $162,485 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 9,125 | $190,807 |
| Austin, TX | 6,831 | $125,070 |
| Cupertino, CA | 6,074 | $186,142 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Bellevue, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Bellevue, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (1,582 filings).
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,582 | $175,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,543 | $154,400 |
| Architect | 940 | $99,600 |
| Research Scientist | 930 | $166,574 |
| Software Developer | 827 | $119,350 |
| Software Engineer I | 763 | $129,000 |
| Software Dev Engineer II | 693 | $170,200 |
| Software Engineer III | 639 | $171,996 |
| Product Manager III | 578 | $151,200 |
| Program Manager III | 568 | $143,400 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Bellevue, WA is $163,862, based on 8,681 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 21% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 14% higher than the overall H-1B median of $144,123 in Bellevue, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $100,000 range from the 10th percentile ($120,000) to the 90th percentile ($220,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $136,800 and $195,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Bellevue, WA, with 2,578 certified filings at a median salary of $150,335. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $200,000. The pay spread across top employers is 33%, 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 Bellevue, WA, answered directly from 8,681 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 Bellevue, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Bellevue, WA is $163,862, based on 8,681 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,000
- 25th percentile
- $136,800
- Median
- $163,862
- 75th percentile
- $195,000
- 90th percentile
- $220,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Bellevue, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,000, while the 90th percentile earns $220,000. This $100,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Software Engineer salaries in Bellevue, WA are 30% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Bellevue, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Bellevue, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Bellevue, WA. MICROSOFT leads with 2,578 filings at a median salary of $150,335. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $150,335 to $200,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Bellevue, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Bellevue, 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, 8,681 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Bellevue, 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.