Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Employers have filed 942 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Los Angeles, CA, with a median salary of $140,000. That's 5% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 40% higher than the Los Angeles, CA all-roles H-1B median of $100,000. Software Engineer ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Los Angeles, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Los Angeles, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #186 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 Los Angeles, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $95,150 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $120,000 and $167,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $140,000 sits 5% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $97,850
- 25th percentile
- $120,000
- Median
- $140,000
- 75th percentile
- $167,000
- 90th percentile
- $193,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Los Angeles, CA
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Los Angeles, CA, with 195 certified filings (21% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $151,000. Among the top sponsors, DOORDASH pays the highest median at $177,029. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 19% ($149,136 at RIOT GAMES to $177,029 at DOORDASH)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 195 | $151,000 | |
| META | 93 | $175,000 |
| RIOT GAMES | 53 | $149,136 |
| MICROSOFT | 37 | $155,427 |
| DOORDASH | 22 | $177,029 |
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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Los Angeles, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Accountant is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (1,073 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $144,886.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | 1,073 | $90,000 |
| Research Scientist | 537 | $72,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 524 | $103,053 |
| Software Developer | 520 | $102,600 |
| Research Associate | 497 | $64,522 |
| Consultant | 391 | $92,000 |
| Architect | 383 | $75,000 |
| Associate | 300 | $112,070 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 295 | $144,886 |
| Project Manager | 250 | $100,285 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Los Angeles, CA is $140,000, based on 942 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 5% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 40% higher than the overall H-1B median of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $95,150 range from the 10th percentile ($97,850) to the 90th percentile ($193,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $120,000 and $167,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Los Angeles, CA, with 195 certified filings at a median salary of $151,000. Among the top employers, DOORDASH pays the highest median at $177,029. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, 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 Los Angeles, CA, answered directly from 942 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 Los Angeles, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Los Angeles, CA is $140,000, based on 942 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $97,850
- 25th percentile
- $120,000
- Median
- $140,000
- 75th percentile
- $167,000
- 90th percentile
- $193,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Los Angeles, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $97,850, while the 90th percentile earns $193,000. This $95,150 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 Los Angeles, CA are 7% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Los Angeles, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Los Angeles, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Los Angeles, CA. GOOGLE leads with 195 filings at a median salary of $151,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $149,136 to $177,029.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Los Angeles, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Los Angeles, 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, 942 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Los Angeles, 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.