Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 2,861 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $126,880. That's 6% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations, and 5% higher than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $121,000. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #44 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 San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $86,382 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $109,635 and $157,581, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $126,880 sits 6% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $98,592
- 25th percentile
- $109,635
- Median
- $126,880
- 75th percentile
- $157,581
- 90th percentile
- $184,974
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in San Diego, CA
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 869 certified filings (30% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $161,700. The pay spread across top employers is 45%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 45% ($111,322 at QUALCOMM to $161,700 at APPLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| APPLE | 869 | $161,700 |
| QUALCOMM | 564 | $111,322 |
| QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER | 144 | $111,322 |
| INTUIT | 102 | $114,981 |
| SERVICENOW | 101 | $113,753 |
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 San Diego, 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 (25,202) outside San Diego, CA. 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 San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (1,707 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,707 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,460 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 786 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 630 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 588 | $111,342 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 464 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 388 | $130,187 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 351 | $108,930 |
| Research Scientist | 342 | $110,000 |
| Systems Engineer | 340 | $112,321 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in San Diego, CA is $126,880, based on 2,861 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 6% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% higher than the overall H-1B median of $121,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $86,382 range from the 10th percentile ($98,592) to the 90th percentile ($184,974). The middle 50% of workers earn between $109,635 and $157,581, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 869 certified filings at a median salary of $161,700. The pay spread across top employers is 45%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 2,861 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $126,880, based on 2,861 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $98,592
- 25th percentile
- $109,635
- Median
- $126,880
- 75th percentile
- $157,581
- 90th percentile
- $184,974
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $98,592, while the 90th percentile earns $184,974. This $86,382 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 San Diego, CA are about the same, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. APPLE leads with 869 filings at a median salary of $161,700. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $111,322 to $161,700.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in San Diego, 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, 2,861 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in San Diego, 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.