Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Boulder, CO
Employers have filed 336 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO, with a median salary of $129,000. That's 4% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations, and 20% higher than the Boulder, CO all-roles H-1B median of $107,536. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Boulder, CO.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #837 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Boulder, CO
The pay distribution for this role spans $78,552 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $104,000 and $150,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $129,000 sits 4% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $95,448
- 25th percentile
- $104,000
- Median
- $129,000
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $174,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Boulder, CO
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Boulder, CO, with 125 certified filings (37% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $144,000. The pay spread across top employers is 61%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 61% ($89,482 at MARKIT NORTH AMERICA to $144,000 at GOOGLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | $144,000 | |
| QUALCOMM | 36 | $96,866 |
| WORKDAY | 30 | $131,997 |
| MARKIT NORTH AMERICA | 22 | $89,482 |
| APPLE | 18 | $130,000 |
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 Boulder, CO, 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 Boulder, CO. 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 Boulder, CO
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boulder, CO, ranked by certified filing volume. Associate Research Associate is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (159 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $149,900.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Research Associate | 159 | $65,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 122 | $130,894 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 75 | $139,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 74 | $149,900 |
| Assistant Professor | 73 | $106,641 |
| Research Scientist I | 51 | $96,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Boulder, CO is $129,000, based on 336 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations. It is also 20% higher than the overall H-1B median of $107,536 in Boulder, CO across all job titles.
Salaries span a $78,552 range from the 10th percentile ($95,448) to the 90th percentile ($174,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $104,000 and $150,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boulder, CO, with 125 certified filings at a median salary of $144,000. 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 Boulder, CO, answered directly from 336 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 Boulder, CO?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO is $129,000, based on 336 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $95,448
- 25th percentile
- $104,000
- Median
- $129,000
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $174,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Boulder, CO shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $95,448, while the 90th percentile earns $174,000. This $78,552 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 Boulder, CO are 1% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Boulder, CO?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Boulder, CO. GOOGLE leads with 125 filings at a median salary of $144,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $89,482 to $144,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Boulder, CO?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Boulder, CO, 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, 336 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Boulder, CO 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.