Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 17,432 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $168,000. That's 24% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $159,000. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $87,008 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $145,600 and $191,003, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $168,000 sits 24% higher than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $130,000
- 25th percentile
- $145,600
- Median
- $168,000
- 75th percentile
- $191,003
- 90th percentile
- $217,008
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA, with 10,572 certified filings (61% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $171,000. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $214,032. The pay spread across top employers is 70%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 70% ($126,080 at JUNIPER NETWORKS to $214,032 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10,572 | $171,000 | |
| APPLE | 1,953 | $189,495 |
| MICROSOFT | 1,565 | $141,378 |
| JUNIPER NETWORKS | 572 | $126,080 |
| META | 472 | $214,032 |
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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, 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 |
| 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 |
| Cupertino, CA | 6,074 | $186,142 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Software Engineer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (4,872 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,872 | $160,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,257 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,745 | $142,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,744 | $175,800 |
| Program Manager | 1,303 | $162,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,004 | $121,000 |
| QA Engineer | 723 | $135,000 |
| Project Manager | 707 | $139,443 |
| Software Engineer I | 703 | $144,000 |
| Data Scientist | 660 | $147,900 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $168,000, based on 17,432 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 $135,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $159,000 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $87,008 range from the 10th percentile ($130,000) to the 90th percentile ($217,008). The middle 50% of workers earn between $145,600 and $191,003, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 10,572 certified filings at a median salary of $171,000. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $214,032. The pay spread across top employers is 70%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 17,432 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $168,000, based on 17,432 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $130,000
- 25th percentile
- $145,600
- Median
- $168,000
- 75th percentile
- $191,003
- 90th percentile
- $217,008
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $130,000, while the 90th percentile earns $217,008. This $87,008 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 Sunnyvale, CA are 33% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. GOOGLE leads with 10,572 filings at a median salary of $171,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $126,080 to $214,032.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Sunnyvale, 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, 17,432 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Sunnyvale, 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.