Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 2,120 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $155,746. That's 17% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 4% lower than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $163,000. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #52 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 Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $94,422 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $140,000 and $183,747, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $155,746 sits 17% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,578
- 25th percentile
- $140,000
- Median
- $155,746
- 75th percentile
- $183,747
- 90th percentile
- $215,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Palo Alto, CA
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Palo Alto, CA, with 195 certified filings (9% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $161,000. Among the top sponsors, SALESFORCE pays the highest median at $192,199. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 28% ($150,000 at RUBRIK to $192,199 at SALESFORCE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 195 | $161,000 | |
| SALESFORCE | 183 | $192,199 |
| RUBRIK | 164 | $150,000 |
| TESLA | 163 | $150,000 |
| SNAP | 106 | $174,015 |
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 Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Palo Alto, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (1,225 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $210,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,225 | $182,610 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 948 | $141,334 |
| Software Engineer II | 655 | $172,931 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 389 | $210,000 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Research Scientist | 359 | $140,000 |
| Staff Engineer | 280 | $207,392 |
| Data Scientist | 267 | $143,291 |
| Developer | 252 | $127,092 |
| Research Scientist II | 235 | $183,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Palo Alto, CA is $155,746, based on 2,120 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 17% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% lower than the overall H-1B median of $163,000 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $94,422 range from the 10th percentile ($120,578) to the 90th percentile ($215,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $140,000 and $183,747, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 195 certified filings at a median salary of $161,000. Among the top employers, SALESFORCE pays the highest median at $192,199. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, 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 Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 2,120 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 Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA is $155,746, based on 2,120 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,578
- 25th percentile
- $140,000
- Median
- $155,746
- 75th percentile
- $183,747
- 90th percentile
- $215,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,578, while the 90th percentile earns $215,000. This $94,422 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 Palo Alto, CA are 19% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. GOOGLE leads with 195 filings at a median salary of $161,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $150,000 to $192,199.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Palo Alto, 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, 2,120 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Palo Alto, 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.