Staff Design Engineer H-1B Visa Salary Data
There have been 149 certified H-1B filings for Staff Design Engineer positions from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median salary is $157,394, which is 25% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302.
Salary Distribution
Salary Range Distribution
Most Staff Design Engineer H-1B salaries fall between $135,000 and $170,000.
Median Salary Trend
Staff Design Engineer salaries have grown 24% from FY 2020 ($141,565) to FY 2026 ($176,134).
Top Employers & Locations
Top Employers for Staff Design Engineer
| Employer | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| XILINX | 36 | $166,026 |
| ARM | 35 | $154,565 |
| MICRON TECHNOLOGY | 20 | $173,038 |
| VISA U.S.A. | 6 | $144,726 |
| ALPHA AND OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR INCORPORATED | 4 | $141,440 |
| SILICON LABORATORIES | 4 | $209,304 |
| ANALOG DEVICES | 4 | $158,915 |
| MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS | 3 | $177,000 |
| UBILINX TECHNOLOGY | 3 | $160,000 |
| ARM | 2 | $127,566 |
Top Locations for Staff Design Engineer
| Location | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA (all jobs) | 71 | $166,507 |
| Austin, TX | 41 | $154,565 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 7 | $142,000 |
| Milpitas, CA | 3 | $130,583 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 3 | $141,440 |
| Chandler, AZ | 3 | $172,550 |
| Fairfax, VA | 2 | $85,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | 2 | $144,726 |
| San Diego, CA | 2 | $155,000 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 2 | $136,277 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Design Engineer is $157,394, based on 149 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 25% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302. Median pay has grown 24% since FY 2020 ($141,565 → $176,134).
Salaries span a $67,075 range from the 10th percentile ($114,275) to the 90th percentile ($181,350). The middle 50% of Staff Design Engineers earn between $135,000 and $170,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, company tier, and geographic location.
XILINX is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role, with 36 certified filings at a median salary of $166,026. Among the top sponsors, SILICON LABORATORIES pays the highest median at $209,304. The pay spread across top employers is 64%.
Geographically, San Jose, CA has the highest concentration of Staff Design Engineer H-1B filings (71) at a median of $166,507. The highest-paying metro among the top locations is Chandler, AZ at $172,550.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Staff Design Engineer H-1B salary?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Design Engineer positions is $157,394, based on 149 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This salary is 25% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302. Compensation varies significantly by employer type—large tech companies typically pay $170,000 to $181,350, while consulting firms and smaller employers may offer $114,275 to $135,000. Location also impacts pay, with coastal tech hubs commanding premium salaries.
- 10th percentile
- $114,275
- 25th percentile
- $135,000
- Median
- $157,394
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $181,350
Salaries range from $114,275 at the 10th percentile to $181,350 at the 90th percentile, showing a $67,075 spread. The 25th percentile is $135,000 and the 75th percentile is $170,000.
Which companies hire the most Staff Design Engineers on H-1B?
H-1B sponsorship for Staff Design Engineer positions spans various industries and employer types. The top sponsors reflect where demand for this role is highest, with compensation varying based on employer size, industry sector, and geographic location. Larger employers often have established visa sponsorship programs and immigration support.
XILINX is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Design Engineer positions with 36 filings at a median salary of $166,026. ARM follows with 35 filings.
Where are Staff Design Engineer H-1B jobs located?
Staff Design Engineer H-1B positions are concentrated in major tech hubs and metropolitan areas with strong technology ecosystems. The San Francisco Bay Area (including San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View) and Seattle-Redmond corridor dominate due to headquarters of major tech employers. New York City attracts Staff Design Engineers across finance, media, and tech sectors. Emerging hubs like Austin, Denver, and Raleigh-Durham offer growing opportunities with lower costs of living compared to coastal cities.
San Jose, CA has the highest concentration of Staff Design Engineer H-1B filings with 71 positions at a median salary of $166,507.
How have Staff Design Engineer salaries changed over time?
Staff Design Engineer H-1B salaries have grown by +24% from FY 2020 to FY 2026, outpacing general inflation in most years. The median rose from $141,565 to $176,134 during this period. This growth reflects increasing demand for skilled tech workers, competitive hiring among major employers, and broader salary inflation in the technology sector. The distribution has also widened, with top-tier companies offering increasingly premium compensation to attract talent, while entry-level positions have seen more modest gains.
Year-by-year breakdown:
- FY 2022: $166,507 (28 certified)
- FY 2023: $150,509 (12 certified)
- FY 2024: $172,550 (12 certified)
- FY 2025: $154,565 (12 certified)
- FY 2026: $176,134 (12 certified)