Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Irvine, CA
Employers have filed 926 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Irvine, CA, with a median salary of $125,000. That's 7% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations, and 10% higher than the Irvine, CA all-roles H-1B median of $113,661. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Irvine, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Irvine, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #202 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 Irvine, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $78,669 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $100,000 and $149,092, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $125,000 sits 7% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $90,331
- 25th percentile
- $100,000
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $149,092
- 90th percentile
- $169,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Irvine, CA
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Irvine, CA, with 232 certified filings (25% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 105%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 105% ($73,000 at L&T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES to $150,000 at GOOGLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 232 | $150,000 | |
| PANASONIC AVIONICS | 44 | $139,818 |
| L&T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES | 31 | $73,000 |
| JAMES R. GLIDEWELL DENTAL CERAMICS | 27 | $102,960 |
| BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT | 22 | $118,997 |
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 Irvine, 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 (24,121) outside Irvine, CA. 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 Irvine, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Irvine, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (725 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $144,954.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 725 | $102,544 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 383 | $140,031 |
| Software Engineer II | 307 | $144,954 |
| Accountant | 288 | $80,000 |
| Architect | 282 | $109,782 |
| Project Manager | 212 | $103,355 |
| Software Engineer I | 204 | $123,000 |
| Consultant | 194 | $91,790 |
| Research Scientist | 173 | $81,200 |
| Business Analyst | 171 | $91,791 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Irvine, CA is $125,000, based on 926 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations. It is also 10% higher than the overall H-1B median of $113,661 in Irvine, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $78,669 range from the 10th percentile ($90,331) to the 90th percentile ($169,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $100,000 and $149,092, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Irvine, CA, with 232 certified filings at a median salary of $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 105%, 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 Irvine, CA, answered directly from 926 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 Irvine, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Irvine, CA is $125,000, based on 926 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $90,331
- 25th percentile
- $100,000
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $149,092
- 90th percentile
- $169,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Irvine, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $90,331, while the 90th percentile earns $169,000. This $78,669 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 Irvine, CA are 4% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Irvine, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Irvine, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Irvine, CA. GOOGLE leads with 232 filings at a median salary of $150,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $73,000 to $150,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Irvine, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Irvine, 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, 926 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Irvine, 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.