Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Durham, NC
Employers have filed 1,615 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Durham, NC, with a median salary of $116,709. That's 13% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations, and 8% higher than the Durham, NC all-roles H-1B median of $108,410. Software Engineer ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Durham, NC.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Durham, NC, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #81 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 Durham, NC
The pay distribution for this role spans $68,994 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $94,515 and $136,300, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $116,709 sits 13% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $87,360
- 25th percentile
- $94,515
- Median
- $116,709
- 75th percentile
- $136,300
- 90th percentile
- $156,354
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Durham, NC
FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Durham, NC, with 258 certified filings (16% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $126,651. Among the top sponsors, FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS pays the highest median at $161,741. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 28% ($126,000 at GOOGLE to $161,741 at FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP | 258 | $126,651 |
| 228 | $126,000 | |
| HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE | 91 | $134,210 |
| NETAPP | 61 | $150,000 |
| FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS | 59 | $161,741 |
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 Durham, NC, 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 Durham, NC. 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 Durham, NC
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Durham, NC, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (2,041 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Full Stack Developer at a median of $132,413.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 2,041 | $107,931 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,423 | $101,421 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 1,075 | $120,786 |
| Associate Research Associate | 349 | $57,852 |
| Consultant | 284 | $100,589 |
| Principal Full Stack Developer | 263 | $132,413 |
| Architect | 261 | $121,000 |
| Senior Full Stack Developer | 257 | $110,365 |
| Systems Analyst | 237 | $97,300 |
| Senior Research Associate | 235 | $64,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Durham, NC is $116,709, based on 1,615 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 13% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations. It is also 8% higher than the overall H-1B median of $108,410 in Durham, NC across all job titles.
Salaries span a $68,994 range from the 10th percentile ($87,360) to the 90th percentile ($156,354). The middle 50% of workers earn between $94,515 and $136,300, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Durham, NC, with 258 certified filings at a median salary of $126,651. Among the top employers, FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS pays the highest median at $161,741. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, 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 Durham, NC, answered directly from 1,615 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 Durham, NC?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Durham, NC is $116,709, based on 1,615 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $87,360
- 25th percentile
- $94,515
- Median
- $116,709
- 75th percentile
- $136,300
- 90th percentile
- $156,354
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Durham, NC shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $87,360, while the 90th percentile earns $156,354. This $68,994 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 Durham, NC are 11% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Durham, NC?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Durham, NC are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Durham, NC. FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP leads with 258 filings at a median salary of $126,651. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $126,000 to $161,741.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Durham, NC?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Durham, NC, 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, 1,615 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Durham, NC 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.