Staff Software Engineer H-1B Visa Salary Data
There have been 17,225 certified H-1B filings for Staff Software Engineer positions from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median salary is $170,000, which is 35% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302.
Salary Distribution
Salary Range Distribution
Most Staff Software Engineer H-1B salaries fall between $145,725 and $200,000.
Median Salary Trend
Staff Software Engineer salaries have grown 31% from FY 2020 ($148,000) to FY 2026 ($193,840).
Top Employers & Locations
Top Employers for Staff Software Engineer
| Employer | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| WALMART | 1,688 | $153,301 |
| QUALCOMM | 1,167 | $145,395 |
| MICROSOFT | 860 | $191,286 |
| VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS | 548 | $132,267 |
| INTUIT | 472 | $184,080 |
| TESLA | 450 | $201,864 |
| JUNIPER NETWORKS | 420 | $170,872 |
| SERVICENOW | 402 | $182,312 |
| 309 | $258,000 | |
| QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER | 289 | $142,400 |
Top Locations for Staff Software Engineer
| Location | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale, CA (all jobs) | 2,257 | $184,080 |
| San Diego, CA (all jobs) | 1,460 | $146,328 |
| San Francisco, CA (all jobs) | 1,099 | $210,000 |
| Austin, TX (all jobs) | 940 | $133,058 |
| San Jose, CA (all jobs) | 909 | $185,000 |
| Santa Clara, CA (all jobs) | 898 | $179,396 |
| Mountain View, CA (all jobs) | 761 | $207,778 |
| Bentonville, AR (all jobs) | 485 | $146,574 |
| Palo Alto, CA (all jobs) | 423 | $210,000 |
| Seattle, WA (all jobs) | 370 | $207,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer is $170,000, based on 17,225 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 35% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302. Median pay has grown 31% since FY 2020 ($148,000 → $193,840).
Salaries span a $102,662 range from the 10th percentile ($127,338) to the 90th percentile ($230,000). The middle 50% of Staff Software Engineers earn between $145,725 and $200,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, company tier, and geographic location.
WALMART is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role, with 1,688 certified filings at a median salary of $153,301. Among the top sponsors, GOOGLE pays the highest median at $258,000. The pay spread across top employers is 95%.
Geographically, Sunnyvale, CA has the highest concentration of Staff Software Engineer H-1B filings (2,257) at a median of $184,080. The highest-paying metro among the top locations is San Francisco, CA at $210,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Staff Software Engineer H-1B salary?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer positions is $170,000, based on 17,225 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This salary is 35% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302. Compensation varies significantly by employer type—large tech companies typically pay $200,000 to $230,000, while consulting firms and smaller employers may offer $127,338 to $145,725. Location also impacts pay, with coastal tech hubs commanding premium salaries.
- 10th percentile
- $127,338
- 25th percentile
- $145,725
- Median
- $170,000
- 75th percentile
- $200,000
- 90th percentile
- $230,000
Salaries range from $127,338 at the 10th percentile to $230,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $102,662 spread. The 25th percentile is $145,725 and the 75th percentile is $200,000.
Which companies hire the most Staff Software Engineers on H-1B?
H-1B sponsorship for Staff Software 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.
WALMART is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Software Engineer positions with 1,688 filings at a median salary of $153,301. QUALCOMM follows with 1,167 filings.
Where are Staff Software Engineer H-1B jobs located?
Staff Software 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 Software 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.
Sunnyvale, CA has the highest concentration of Staff Software Engineer H-1B filings with 2,257 positions at a median salary of $184,080. The highest-paying location is San Francisco, CA at $210,000 median.
How have Staff Software Engineer salaries changed over time?
Staff Software Engineer H-1B salaries have grown by +31% from FY 2020 to FY 2026, outpacing general inflation in most years. The median rose from $148,000 to $193,840 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: $165,000 (2,863 certified)
- FY 2023: $168,000 (2,466 certified)
- FY 2024: $177,154 (2,710 certified)
- FY 2025: $180,000 (3,326 certified)
- FY 2026: $193,840 (2,288 certified)