Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Foster City, CA
Employers have filed 506 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA, with a median salary of $148,000. That's 11% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 8% higher than the Foster City, CA all-roles H-1B median of $137,000. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Foster City, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #459 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Foster City, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $80,250 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $130,682 and $173,250, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $148,000 sits 11% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $115,750
- 25th percentile
- $130,682
- Median
- $148,000
- 75th percentile
- $173,250
- 90th percentile
- $196,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Foster City, CA
ZOOX is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Foster City, CA, with 209 certified filings (41% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $157,000. The pay spread across top employers is 43%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 43% ($120,931 at IBM to $173,250 at ZOOX)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ZOOX | 209 | $157,000 |
| ZOOX | 63 | $173,250 |
| NEXINFO SOLUTIONS | 30 | $124,000 |
| VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS | 14 | $159,082 |
| IBM | 13 | $120,931 |
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 Foster City, 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 Foster City, 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 Foster City, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Foster City, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (474 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Director at a median of $164,600.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 474 | $145,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 304 | $147,368 |
| Director | 143 | $164,600 |
| Research Scientist | 139 | $127,878 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 136 | $113,277 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 123 | $139,235 |
| Data Scientist | 115 | $121,600 |
| QA Engineer | 113 | $122,699 |
| Software Developer | 105 | $120,932 |
| Senior Product Manager | 89 | $158,080 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Foster City, CA is $148,000, based on 506 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 11% higher 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 $137,000 in Foster City, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $80,250 range from the 10th percentile ($115,750) to the 90th percentile ($196,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $130,682 and $173,250, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ZOOX is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Foster City, CA, with 209 certified filings at a median salary of $157,000. The pay spread across top employers is 43%, 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 Foster City, CA, answered directly from 506 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 Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA is $148,000, based on 506 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $115,750
- 25th percentile
- $130,682
- Median
- $148,000
- 75th percentile
- $173,250
- 90th percentile
- $196,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Foster City, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $115,750, while the 90th percentile earns $196,000. This $80,250 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 Foster City, CA are 13% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Foster City, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Foster City, CA. ZOOX leads with 209 filings at a median salary of $157,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $120,931 to $173,250.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Foster City, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Foster City, 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, 506 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Foster City, 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.