Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 12,596 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $165,000. That's 24% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 7% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4 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 San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $102,069 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $141,600 and $192,941, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $165,000 sits 24% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,931
- 25th percentile
- $141,600
- Median
- $165,000
- 75th percentile
- $192,941
- 90th percentile
- $223,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in San Francisco, CA
SALESFORCE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 2,942 certified filings (23% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $176,000. Among the top sponsors, DOORDASH pays the highest median at $188,000. The pay spread across top employers is 21%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 21% ($155,000 at PINTEREST to $188,000 at DOORDASH)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SALESFORCE | 2,942 | $176,000 |
| 933 | $171,000 | |
| DOORDASH | 619 | $188,000 |
| 345 | $155,000 | |
| LYFT | 339 | $180,000 |
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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, 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 |
| 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 |
| Cupertino, CA | 5,593 | $187,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (4,749 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,749 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,498 | $150,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,449 | $163,973 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,070 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,047 | $164,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 991 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 980 | $106,000 |
| Consultant | 946 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 811 | $135,000 |
| Architect | 779 | $128,016 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $165,000, based on 12,596 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 24% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% higher than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $102,069 range from the 10th percentile ($120,931) to the 90th percentile ($223,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $141,600 and $192,941, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SALESFORCE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 2,942 certified filings at a median salary of $176,000. Among the top employers, DOORDASH pays the highest median at $188,000. The pay spread across top employers is 21%, 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 Francisco, CA, answered directly from 12,596 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 Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $165,000, based on 12,596 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,931
- 25th percentile
- $141,600
- Median
- $165,000
- 75th percentile
- $192,941
- 90th percentile
- $223,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,931, while the 90th percentile earns $223,000. This $102,069 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 San Francisco, CA are 26% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. SALESFORCE leads with 2,942 filings at a median salary of $176,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $155,000 to $188,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in San Francisco, 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, 12,596 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in San Francisco, 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.