Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Carlsbad, CA
Employers have filed 157 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Carlsbad, CA, with a median salary of $121,597. That's 9% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the Carlsbad, CA all-roles H-1B median of $115,000. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Carlsbad, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Carlsbad, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,980 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Carlsbad, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $64,389 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $109,200 and $133,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $121,597 sits 9% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $96,845
- 25th percentile
- $109,200
- Median
- $121,597
- 75th percentile
- $133,000
- 90th percentile
- $161,234
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Carlsbad, CA
VIASAT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Carlsbad, CA, with 32 certified filings (20% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $125,000. Among the top sponsors, SIGMA CONNECTIVITY pays the highest median at $132,000. The pay spread across top employers is 65%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 65% ($80,184 at EZOIC to $132,000 at SIGMA CONNECTIVITY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VIASAT | 32 | $125,000 |
| VIASAT | 24 | $120,000 |
| CISCO | 15 | $126,880 |
| SIGMA CONNECTIVITY | 12 | $132,000 |
| EZOIC | 7 | $80,184 |
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 Carlsbad, 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 (23,374) outside Carlsbad, CA. 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 Carlsbad, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Carlsbad, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (66 filings).
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 66 | $133,370 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Carlsbad, CA is $121,597, based on 157 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $115,000 in Carlsbad, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $64,389 range from the 10th percentile ($96,845) to the 90th percentile ($161,234). The middle 50% of workers earn between $109,200 and $133,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
VIASAT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Carlsbad, CA, with 32 certified filings at a median salary of $125,000. Among the top employers, SIGMA CONNECTIVITY pays the highest median at $132,000. The pay spread across top employers is 65%, 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 Carlsbad, CA, answered directly from 157 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 Carlsbad, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Carlsbad, CA is $121,597, based on 157 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $96,845
- 25th percentile
- $109,200
- Median
- $121,597
- 75th percentile
- $133,000
- 90th percentile
- $161,234
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Carlsbad, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $96,845, while the 90th percentile earns $161,234. This $64,389 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 Carlsbad, CA are 7% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Carlsbad, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Carlsbad, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Carlsbad, CA. VIASAT leads with 32 filings at a median salary of $125,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $80,184 to $132,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Carlsbad, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Carlsbad, 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, 157 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Carlsbad, 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.