Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Oakland, CA
Employers have filed 294 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Oakland, CA, with a median salary of $145,738. That's 10% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 15% higher than the Oakland, CA all-roles H-1B median of $127,000. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Oakland, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Oakland, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #959 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Oakland, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $99,489 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $121,763 and $179,774, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $145,738 sits 10% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $111,511
- 25th percentile
- $121,763
- Median
- $145,738
- 75th percentile
- $179,774
- 90th percentile
- $211,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Oakland, CA
BLOCK is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Oakland, CA, with 43 certified filings (15% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $196,628. Among the top sponsors, CREDIT KARMA pays the highest median at $232,356. The pay spread across top employers is 72%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 72% ($135,000 at EVERLAW to $232,356 at CREDIT KARMA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| BLOCK | 43 | $196,628 |
| MARQETA | 31 | $150,000 |
| DELTA DENTAL OF CALIFORNIA | 27 | $149,200 |
| CREDIT KARMA | 19 | $232,356 |
| EVERLAW | 16 | $135,000 |
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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Oakland, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (287 filings).
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 287 | $166,000 |
| Software Developer | 139 | $121,150 |
| Architect | 110 | $105,560 |
| Consultant | 91 | $115,066 |
| Project Manager | 64 | $126,000 |
| Data Scientist | 63 | $148,949 |
| Manager | 60 | $125,362 |
| Manager - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 51 | $145,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Oakland, CA is $145,738, based on 294 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 10% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 15% higher than the overall H-1B median of $127,000 in Oakland, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $99,489 range from the 10th percentile ($111,511) to the 90th percentile ($211,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $121,763 and $179,774, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
BLOCK is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Oakland, CA, with 43 certified filings at a median salary of $196,628. Among the top employers, CREDIT KARMA pays the highest median at $232,356. The pay spread across top employers is 72%, 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 Oakland, CA, answered directly from 294 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 Oakland, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Oakland, CA is $145,738, based on 294 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $111,511
- 25th percentile
- $121,763
- Median
- $145,738
- 75th percentile
- $179,774
- 90th percentile
- $211,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Oakland, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $111,511, while the 90th percentile earns $211,000. This $99,489 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 Oakland, CA are 12% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Oakland, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Oakland, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Oakland, CA. BLOCK leads with 43 filings at a median salary of $196,628. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $135,000 to $232,356.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Oakland, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Oakland, 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, 294 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Oakland, 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.