Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Reston, VA
Employers have filed 744 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Reston, VA, with a median salary of $106,080. That's 21% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations, and 4% lower than the Reston, VA all-roles H-1B median of $110,240. Software Engineer ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Reston, VA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Reston, VA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #303 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Reston, VA
The pay distribution for this role spans $72,400 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $97,406 and $130,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $106,080 sits 21% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $86,900
- 25th percentile
- $97,406
- Median
- $106,080
- 75th percentile
- $130,000
- 90th percentile
- $159,300
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Reston, VA
MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Reston, VA, with 40 certified filings (5% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $155,970. Among the top sponsors, QUALTRICS pays the highest median at $156,500. The pay spread across top employers is 80%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 80% ($86,819 at ILOGIXEDGE to $156,500 at QUALTRICS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| MICROSOFT | 40 | $155,970 |
| VERISIGN | 35 | $117,458 |
| FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION | 35 | $145,000 |
| QUALTRICS | 22 | $156,500 |
| ILOGIXEDGE | 22 | $86,819 |
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 Reston, VA, 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 (25,202) outside Reston, VA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $190,807. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Redmond, WA | 25,202 | $157,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 21,815 | $168,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 17,432 | $168,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 13,951 | $167,710 |
| New York, NY | 13,246 | $163,884 |
| Seattle, WA | 10,788 | $160,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 9,425 | $162,485 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 9,125 | $190,807 |
| Bellevue, WA | 8,681 | $163,862 |
| Austin, TX | 6,831 | $125,070 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Reston, VA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Reston, VA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (1,250 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $140,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 1,250 | $98,550 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 369 | $140,000 |
| Architect | 293 | $112,000 |
| Software Engineer III | 198 | $130,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | 138 | $104,000 |
| Systems Analyst | 130 | $94,750 |
| Java Developer | 125 | $97,406 |
| Senior Consultant | 125 | $121,722 |
| Senior Architect | 117 | $118,102 |
| Data Engineer | 101 | $102,274 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Reston, VA is $106,080, based on 744 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 21% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% lower than the overall H-1B median of $110,240 in Reston, VA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $72,400 range from the 10th percentile ($86,900) to the 90th percentile ($159,300). The middle 50% of workers earn between $97,406 and $130,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Reston, VA, with 40 certified filings at a median salary of $155,970. Among the top employers, QUALTRICS pays the highest median at $156,500. The pay spread across top employers is 80%, 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 Reston, VA, answered directly from 744 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 Reston, VA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Reston, VA is $106,080, based on 744 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $86,900
- 25th percentile
- $97,406
- Median
- $106,080
- 75th percentile
- $130,000
- 90th percentile
- $159,300
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Reston, VA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $86,900, while the 90th percentile earns $159,300. This $72,400 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Software Engineer salaries in Reston, VA are 16% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Reston, VA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Reston, VA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Reston, VA. MICROSOFT leads with 40 filings at a median salary of $155,970. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $86,819 to $156,500.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Reston, VA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Reston, VA, 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, 744 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Reston, VA 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.