Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Washington, DC
Employers have filed 504 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Washington, DC, with a median salary of $110,240. That's 18% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations, and 9% higher than the Washington, DC all-roles H-1B median of $101,400. Software Engineer ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Washington, DC.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Washington, DC, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #488 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Washington, DC
The pay distribution for this role spans $72,760 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $97,406 and $136,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $110,240 sits 18% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $96,240
- 25th percentile
- $97,406
- Median
- $110,240
- 75th percentile
- $136,000
- 90th percentile
- $169,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Washington, DC
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Washington, DC, with 29 certified filings (6% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $164,000. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $178,575. The pay spread across top employers is 81%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 81% ($98,550 at NATSOFT to $178,575 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | $164,000 | |
| NATSOFT | 26 | $98,550 |
| META | 21 | $178,575 |
| BAE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS & SERVICES | 14 | $100,630 |
| MULTIVISION | 12 | $110,000 |
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 Washington, DC, 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 (24,121) outside Washington, DC. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $190,061. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Redmond, WA | 24,121 | $156,088 |
| Mountain View, CA | 20,602 | $168,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 16,285 | $168,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 13,033 | $165,605 |
| New York, NY | 12,155 | $160,555 |
| Seattle, WA | 10,229 | $159,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 8,782 | $160,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 8,552 | $190,061 |
| Bellevue, WA | 8,119 | $163,000 |
| Austin, TX | 6,442 | $125,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Washington, DC
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Washington, DC, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (1,022 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Associate at a median of $195,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 1,022 | $100,000 |
| Associate | 346 | $195,000 |
| Consultant | 291 | $109,999 |
| Architect | 277 | $103,938 |
| Secondary Teacher | 243 | $65,000 |
| Manager | 240 | $119,500 |
| Assistant Professor | 233 | $100,000 |
| Accountant | 190 | $103,320 |
| Systems Analyst | 183 | $100,069 |
| Project Manager | 176 | $108,805 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Washington, DC is $110,240, based on 504 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 18% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $134,300 across all U.S. locations. It is also 9% higher than the overall H-1B median of $101,400 in Washington, DC across all job titles.
Salaries span a $72,760 range from the 10th percentile ($96,240) to the 90th percentile ($169,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $97,406 and $136,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Washington, DC, with 29 certified filings at a median salary of $164,000. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $178,575. The pay spread across top employers is 81%, 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 Washington, DC, answered directly from 504 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 Washington, DC?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Washington, DC is $110,240, based on 504 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $96,240
- 25th percentile
- $97,406
- Median
- $110,240
- 75th percentile
- $136,000
- 90th percentile
- $169,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Washington, DC shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $96,240, while the 90th percentile earns $169,000. This $72,760 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Software Engineer salaries in Washington, DC are 16% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Washington, DC?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Washington, DC are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Washington, DC. GOOGLE leads with 29 filings at a median salary of $164,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $98,550 to $178,575.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Washington, DC?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Washington, DC, 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, 504 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Washington, DC 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.