Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Lake Forest, CA
Employers have filed 60 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Lake Forest, CA, with a median salary of $114,084. That's 14% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 7% higher than the Lake Forest, CA all-roles H-1B median of $106,434.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Lake Forest, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,649 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 Lake Forest, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $64,521 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $93,330 and $130,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $114,084 sits 14% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $78,125
- 25th percentile
- $93,330
- Median
- $114,084
- 75th percentile
- $130,000
- 90th percentile
- $142,646
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Lake Forest, CA
PANASONIC AVIONICS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Lake Forest, CA, with 22 certified filings (37% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $126,239. Among the top sponsors, TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS pays the highest median at $130,000. The pay spread across top employers is 67%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 67% ($78,000 at L&T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES to $130,000 at TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| PANASONIC AVIONICS | 22 | $126,239 |
| L&T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES | 8 | $78,000 |
| ALCON RESEARCH | 6 | $93,330 |
| SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SYSTEMS USA | 2 | $99,632 |
| TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS | 2 | $130,000 |
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 Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest, 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 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Lake Forest, CA is $114,084, based on 60 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 14% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% higher than the overall H-1B median of $106,434 in Lake Forest, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $64,521 range from the 10th percentile ($78,125) to the 90th percentile ($142,646). The middle 50% of workers earn between $93,330 and $130,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
PANASONIC AVIONICS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Lake Forest, CA, with 22 certified filings at a median salary of $126,239. Among the top employers, TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS pays the highest median at $130,000. The pay spread across top employers is 67%, 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 Lake Forest, CA, answered directly from 60 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 Lake Forest, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Lake Forest, CA is $114,084, based on 60 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $78,125
- 25th percentile
- $93,330
- Median
- $114,084
- 75th percentile
- $130,000
- 90th percentile
- $142,646
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Lake Forest, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $78,125, while the 90th percentile earns $142,646. This $64,521 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 Lake Forest, CA are 13% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Lake Forest, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Lake Forest, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Lake Forest, CA. PANASONIC AVIONICS leads with 22 filings at a median salary of $126,239. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $78,000 to $130,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Lake Forest, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Lake Forest, 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, 60 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Lake Forest, 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.