Staff QA Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 167 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff QA Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $167,149. That's 20% higher than the national Staff QA Engineer H-1B median of $139,400 across all U.S. locations, and 9% higher than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $153,010. Staff QA Engineer ranks #31 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff QA Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,927 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Staff QA Engineer hiring.
Staff QA Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $60,521 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $145,725 and $174,531, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff QA Engineers land. The median of $167,149 sits 20% higher than the national Staff QA Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $131,800
- 25th percentile
- $145,725
- Median
- $167,149
- 75th percentile
- $174,531
- 90th percentile
- $192,321
Top Employers Hiring Staff QA Engineers in Santa Clara, CA
SERVICENOW is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff QA Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, with 66 certified filings (40% of local Staff QA Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $172,132. The pay spread across top employers is 18%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 18% ($145,463 at QUALCOMM ATHEROS to $172,132 at SERVICENOW)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICENOW | 66 | $172,132 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 25 | $145,463 |
| PALO ALTO NETWORKS | 16 | $164,154 |
| GIGAMON | 11 | $170,000 |
| QUALCOMM | 10 | $157,477 |
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 Santa Clara, 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 (456) outside Santa Clara, CA. The highest median among these is Fremont, CA at $165,600. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | 456 | $133,370 |
| Austin, TX | 142 | $117,917 |
| San Jose, CA | 109 | $147,667 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 94 | $155,000 |
| Fremont, CA | 79 | $165,600 |
| Foster City, CA | 58 | $139,180 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 55 | $164,154 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Clara, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Staff QA Engineer role here (4,455 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $200,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 4,455 | $149,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,455 | $156,951 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,267 | $131,470 |
| Hardware Engineer | 896 | $163,717 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 865 | $179,396 |
| Software Engineer II | 802 | $178,300 |
| Architect | 711 | $165,000 |
| QA Engineer | 557 | $123,283 |
| Software Developer | 554 | $126,693 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 524 | $200,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff QA Engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $167,149, based on 167 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 20% higher than the national Staff QA Engineer H-1B median of $139,400 across all U.S. locations. It is also 9% higher than the overall H-1B median of $153,010 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $60,521 range from the 10th percentile ($131,800) to the 90th percentile ($192,321). The middle 50% of workers earn between $145,725 and $174,531, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SERVICENOW is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 66 certified filings at a median salary of $172,132. 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 167 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff QA Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA is $167,149, based on 167 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $131,800
- 25th percentile
- $145,725
- Median
- $167,149
- 75th percentile
- $174,531
- 90th percentile
- $192,321
The salary distribution for Staff QA Engineer roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $131,800, while the 90th percentile earns $192,321. This $60,521 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Staff QA Engineer salaries in Santa Clara, CA are 28% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff QA Engineers in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff QA Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff QA Engineer roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. SERVICENOW leads with 66 filings at a median salary of $172,132. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $145,463 to $172,132.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff QA Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff QA Engineer in Santa Clara, 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, 167 H-1B positions for Staff QA Engineers in Santa Clara, 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.