Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 4,272 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $148,090. That's 11% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 2% lower than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $151,468. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #23 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 Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $92,891 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $130,894 and $178,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $148,090 sits 11% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $116,043
- 25th percentile
- $130,894
- Median
- $148,090
- 75th percentile
- $178,000
- 90th percentile
- $208,934
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Santa Clara, CA
INTEL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, with 883 certified filings (21% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $147,368. Among the top sponsors, APPLE pays the highest median at $195,318. The pay spread across top employers is 50%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 50% ($130,404 at SERVICENOW to $195,318 at APPLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| INTEL | 883 | $147,368 |
| NVIDIA | 836 | $178,050 |
| ARISTA NETWORKS | 313 | $148,082 |
| SERVICENOW | 217 | $130,404 |
| APPLE | 142 | $195,318 |
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 Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Clara, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (1,406 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $200,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,406 | $155,965 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,209 | $131,470 |
| Hardware Engineer | 858 | $162,523 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 812 | $178,198 |
| Software Engineer II | 759 | $177,800 |
| Architect | 688 | $163,966 |
| Software Developer | 546 | $126,000 |
| QA Engineer | 531 | $123,204 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 501 | $200,000 |
| Product Manager | 415 | $165,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $148,090, based on 4,272 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 11% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 2% lower than the overall H-1B median of $151,468 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $92,891 range from the 10th percentile ($116,043) to the 90th percentile ($208,934). The middle 50% of workers earn between $130,894 and $178,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
INTEL is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 883 certified filings at a median salary of $147,368. Among the top employers, APPLE pays the highest median at $195,318. The pay spread across top employers is 50%, 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 4,272 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA is $148,090, based on 4,272 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $116,043
- 25th percentile
- $130,894
- Median
- $148,090
- 75th percentile
- $178,000
- 90th percentile
- $208,934
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $116,043, while the 90th percentile earns $208,934. This $92,891 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 Santa Clara, CA are 13% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. INTEL leads with 883 filings at a median salary of $147,368. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $130,404 to $195,318.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Santa Clara, 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, 4,272 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Santa Clara, 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.