Staff QA Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 106 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff QA Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $147,534. That's 7% higher than the national Staff QA Engineer H-1B median of $138,320 across all U.S. locations, and 1% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Staff QA Engineer ranks #72 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff QA Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,054 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 San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $52,085 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $136,343 and $163,800, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff QA Engineers land. The median of $147,534 sits 7% higher than the national Staff QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $125,915
- 25th percentile
- $136,343
- Median
- $147,534
- 75th percentile
- $163,800
- 90th percentile
- $178,000
Top Employers Hiring Staff QA Engineers in San Jose, CA
A10 NETWORKS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff QA Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 15 certified filings (14% of local Staff QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $141,107. Among the top sponsors, QUALCOMM pays the highest median at $167,149. The pay spread across top employers is 18%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 18% ($141,107 at A10 NETWORKS to $167,149 at QUALCOMM)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| A10 NETWORKS | 15 | $141,107 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 14 | $145,725 |
| NETAPP | 13 | $145,000 |
| STRYKER | 8 | $142,185 |
| QUALCOMM | 4 | $167,149 |
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 San Jose, 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 San Jose, 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 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 92 | $155,000 |
| Fremont, CA | 70 | $164,800 |
| Foster City, CA | 56 | $138,494 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 53 | $163,620 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Jose, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Jose, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Staff QA Engineer role here (8,169 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $183,646.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,544 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,299 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 918 | $167,632 |
| Software Engineer II | 842 | $133,000 |
| Accountant | 805 | $108,000 |
| Data Scientist | 805 | $158,952 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 802 | $183,646 |
| Architect | 770 | $144,800 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff QA Engineer in San Jose, CA is $147,534, based on 106 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% higher than 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 $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $52,085 range from the 10th percentile ($125,915) to the 90th percentile ($178,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $136,343 and $163,800, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
A10 NETWORKS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 15 certified filings at a median salary of $141,107. Among the top employers, QUALCOMM pays the highest median at $167,149. The pay spread across top employers is 18%, 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 San Jose, CA, answered directly from 106 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 San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff QA Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $147,534, based on 106 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $125,915
- 25th percentile
- $136,343
- Median
- $147,534
- 75th percentile
- $163,800
- 90th percentile
- $178,000
The salary distribution for Staff QA Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $125,915, while the 90th percentile earns $178,000. This $52,085 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 San Jose, CA are 13% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff QA Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff QA Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff QA Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. A10 NETWORKS leads with 15 filings at a median salary of $141,107. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $141,107 to $167,149.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff QA Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff QA Engineer in San Jose, 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, 106 H-1B positions for Staff QA Engineers in San Jose, 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.