Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Berkeley, CA
Employers have filed 95 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Berkeley, CA, with a median salary of $144,000. That's 7% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations, and 37% higher than the Berkeley, CA all-roles H-1B median of $104,906. Software Engineer ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Berkeley, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Berkeley, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,568 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Berkeley, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $82,793 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $121,000 and $160,160, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $144,000 sits 7% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $109,970
- 25th percentile
- $121,000
- Median
- $144,000
- 75th percentile
- $160,160
- 90th percentile
- $192,763
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Berkeley, CA
MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Berkeley, CA, with 16 certified filings (17% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $172,900. The pay spread across top employers is 75%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 75% ($98,779 at JITX to $172,900 at MICROSOFT)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| MICROSOFT | 16 | $172,900 |
| LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY | 11 | $133,236 |
| TYPICAL SET | 6 | $147,368 |
| PROMATRIX | 3 | $121,000 |
| JITX | 3 | $98,779 |
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 Berkeley, CA, 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 (24,121) outside Berkeley, CA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $190,061. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Redmond, WA | 24,121 | $156,088 |
| Mountain View, CA | 20,602 | $168,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 16,285 | $168,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 13,033 | $165,605 |
| New York, NY | 12,155 | $160,555 |
| Seattle, WA | 10,229 | $159,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 8,782 | $160,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 8,552 | $190,061 |
| Bellevue, WA | 8,119 | $163,000 |
| Austin, TX | 6,442 | $125,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Berkeley, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Berkeley, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Associate is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (666 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $120,100.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Associate | 666 | $72,162 |
| Research Scientist | 271 | $88,816 |
| Assistant Professor | 172 | $120,100 |
| Lecturer | 55 | $74,575 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Berkeley, CA is $144,000, based on 95 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations. It is also 37% higher than the overall H-1B median of $104,906 in Berkeley, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $82,793 range from the 10th percentile ($109,970) to the 90th percentile ($192,763). The middle 50% of workers earn between $121,000 and $160,160, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Berkeley, CA, with 16 certified filings at a median salary of $172,900. The pay spread across top employers is 75%, 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 Berkeley, CA, answered directly from 95 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 Berkeley, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Berkeley, CA is $144,000, based on 95 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $109,970
- 25th percentile
- $121,000
- Median
- $144,000
- 75th percentile
- $160,160
- 90th percentile
- $192,763
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Berkeley, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $109,970, while the 90th percentile earns $192,763. This $82,793 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Software Engineer salaries in Berkeley, CA are 10% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Berkeley, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Berkeley, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Berkeley, CA. MICROSOFT leads with 16 filings at a median salary of $172,900. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $98,779 to $172,900.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Berkeley, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Berkeley, 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, 95 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Berkeley, 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.