Staff QA Engineer H-1B Salary in Foster City, CA
Employers have filed 56 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff QA Engineer positions in Foster City, CA, with a median salary of $138,494. That's about the same as the national Staff QA Engineer H-1B median of $138,320 across all U.S. locations, and 1% higher than the Foster City, CA all-roles H-1B median of $137,000. Staff QA Engineer ranks #19 among H-1B job titles filed from Foster City, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff QA Engineer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,086 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Staff QA Engineer hiring.
Staff QA Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Foster City, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $41,639 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $125,486 and $151,882, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff QA Engineers land. The median of $138,494 sits about the same as the national Staff QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $118,500
- 25th percentile
- $125,486
- Median
- $138,494
- 75th percentile
- $151,882
- 90th percentile
- $160,139
Top Employers Hiring Staff QA Engineers in Foster City, CA
CYBERSOURCE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff QA Engineer in Foster City, CA, with 23 certified filings (41% of local Staff QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $139,180. Among the top sponsors, ILLUMINA pays the highest median at $165,000. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 34% ($123,216 at VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS to $165,000 at ILLUMINA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CYBERSOURCE | 23 | $139,180 |
| VISA U.S.A. | 20 | $135,013 |
| VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS | 7 | $123,216 |
| ILLUMINA | 4 | $165,000 |
| ZOOX | 1 | $136,802 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Staff QA 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 Foster City, CA, which tells you whether Staff QA Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Staff QA Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Staff QA Engineer is an active H-1B role. San Diego, CA has the most filings (448) outside Foster City, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $167,149. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | 448 | $133,370 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 158 | $167,149 |
| Austin, TX | 140 | $117,917 |
| San Jose, CA | 106 | $147,534 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 92 | $155,000 |
| Fremont, CA | 70 | $164,800 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 53 | $163,620 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Foster City, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Foster City, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Staff QA Engineer role here (506 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Director at a median of $164,600.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 506 | $148,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 474 | $145,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 304 | $147,368 |
| Director | 143 | $164,600 |
| Research Scientist | 139 | $127,878 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 136 | $113,277 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 123 | $139,235 |
| Data Scientist | 115 | $121,600 |
| QA Engineer | 113 | $122,699 |
| Software Developer | 105 | $120,932 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff QA Engineer in Foster City, CA is $138,494, based on 56 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is about the same as the national Staff QA Engineer H-1B median of $138,320 across all U.S. locations. It is also 1% higher than the overall H-1B median of $137,000 in Foster City, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $41,639 range from the 10th percentile ($118,500) to the 90th percentile ($160,139). The middle 50% of workers earn between $125,486 and $151,882, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CYBERSOURCE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Foster City, CA, with 23 certified filings at a median salary of $139,180. Among the top employers, ILLUMINA pays the highest median at $165,000. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Staff QA Engineer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, answered directly from 56 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 Staff QA Engineer salary in Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff QA Engineer positions in Foster City, CA is $138,494, based on 56 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $118,500
- 25th percentile
- $125,486
- Median
- $138,494
- 75th percentile
- $151,882
- 90th percentile
- $160,139
The salary distribution for Staff QA Engineer roles in Foster City, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $118,500, while the 90th percentile earns $160,139. This $41,639 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Staff QA Engineer salaries in Foster City, CA are 6% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff QA Engineers in Foster City, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff QA Engineer positions in Foster City, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff QA Engineer roles specifically in Foster City, CA. CYBERSOURCE leads with 23 filings at a median salary of $139,180. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $123,216 to $165,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff QA Engineer in Foster City, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff QA Engineer in Foster City, 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, 56 H-1B positions for Staff QA Engineers in Foster City, 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.