Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Cambridge, MA
Employers have filed 1,367 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Cambridge, MA, with a median salary of $143,262. That's 7% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations, and 25% higher than the Cambridge, MA all-roles H-1B median of $115,000. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Cambridge, MA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Cambridge, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #114 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Cambridge, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $81,910 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $121,800 and $165,200, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $143,262 sits 7% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $106,090
- 25th percentile
- $121,800
- Median
- $143,262
- 75th percentile
- $165,200
- 90th percentile
- $188,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Cambridge, MA
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Cambridge, MA, with 546 certified filings (40% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $151,000. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $184,240. The pay spread across top employers is 50%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 50% ($122,970 at PHILIPS NORTH AMERICA to $184,240 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 546 | $151,000 | |
| MICROSOFT | 210 | $140,987 |
| META | 113 | $184,240 |
| 58 | $165,000 | |
| PHILIPS NORTH AMERICA | 46 | $122,970 |
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 Cambridge, MA, 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 Cambridge, MA. 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 Cambridge, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Cambridge, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Scientist is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (1,312 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $150,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | 1,312 | $108,000 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 628 | $122,000 |
| Associate Research Associate | 517 | $66,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 502 | $150,000 |
| Research Scientist II | 448 | $116,480 |
| Research Associate | 320 | $67,080 |
| Senior Research Associate | 297 | $86,250 |
| Software Engineer II | 268 | $134,900 |
| Principal Research Associate | 259 | $70,000 |
| Research Scientist I | 234 | $96,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Cambridge, MA is $143,262, based on 1,367 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 25% higher than the overall H-1B median of $115,000 in Cambridge, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $81,910 range from the 10th percentile ($106,090) to the 90th percentile ($188,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $121,800 and $165,200, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Cambridge, MA, with 546 certified filings at a median salary of $151,000. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $184,240. The pay spread across top employers is 50%, 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 Cambridge, MA, answered directly from 1,367 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 Cambridge, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Cambridge, MA is $143,262, based on 1,367 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $106,090
- 25th percentile
- $121,800
- Median
- $143,262
- 75th percentile
- $165,200
- 90th percentile
- $188,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Cambridge, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $106,090, while the 90th percentile earns $188,000. This $81,910 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 Cambridge, MA are 10% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Cambridge, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Cambridge, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Cambridge, MA. GOOGLE leads with 546 filings at a median salary of $151,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $122,970 to $184,240.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Cambridge, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Cambridge, MA, 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, 1,367 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Cambridge, MA 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.