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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Fairfax, VA

Employers have filed 155 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Fairfax, VA, with a median salary of $110,323. That's 17% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 8% higher than the Fairfax, VA all-roles H-1B median of $102,107. Software Engineer ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Fairfax, VA.

Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Fairfax, VA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,016 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Software Engineer hiring.

$110,323
Median Salary
155
Certified Filings
$94,058
10th Percentile
$152,700
90th Percentile

Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Fairfax, VA

The pay distribution for this role spans $58,642 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $98,000 and $130,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $110,323 sits 17% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.

10th percentile
$94,058
25th percentile
$98,000
Median
$110,323
75th percentile
$130,000
90th percentile
$152,700
Middle 50% of Software Engineer H-1B salaries in Fairfax, VA: $98,000 to $130,000

Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Fairfax, VA

MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Fairfax, VA, with 11 certified filings (7% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $144,000. The pay spread across top employers is 42%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 42% ($101,358 at BYTEFORZA to $144,000 at MICROSOFT)

Employer Filings Median Salary
MICROSOFT 11 $144,000
CGI TECHNOLOGIES AND SOLUTIONS 11 $122,699
SYSTEM SOFT TECHNOLOGIES 8 $115,000
SPERIDIAN TECHNOLOGIES 5 $104,000
BYTEFORZA 5 $101,358

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 Fairfax, VA, which tells you whether Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Software Engineer
-17%
17% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000.
vs. Fairfax, VA Average
+8%
8% higher than the overall H-1B median in Fairfax, VA ($102,107).

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 Fairfax, VA. 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 Fairfax, VA

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Fairfax, VA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (296 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $125,000.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Developer 296 $101,358
Assistant Professor 142 $107,500
Architect 67 $115,066
Senior Software Engineer 57 $125,000

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Fairfax, VA is $110,323, based on 155 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 17% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 8% higher than the overall H-1B median of $102,107 in Fairfax, VA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $58,642 range from the 10th percentile ($94,058) to the 90th percentile ($152,700). The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,000 and $130,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Fairfax, VA, with 11 certified filings at a median salary of $144,000. The pay spread across top employers is 42%, 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 Fairfax, VA, answered directly from 155 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 Fairfax, VA?

The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Fairfax, VA is $110,323, based on 155 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$94,058
25th percentile
$98,000
Median
$110,323
75th percentile
$130,000
90th percentile
$152,700

The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Fairfax, VA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,058, while the 90th percentile earns $152,700. This $58,642 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 Fairfax, VA are 15% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Software Engineers in Fairfax, VA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Fairfax, VA are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Fairfax, VA. MICROSOFT leads with 11 filings at a median salary of $144,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $101,358 to $144,000.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Fairfax, VA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Fairfax, VA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 155 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Fairfax, VA 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.