Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Boulder, CO
Employers have filed 71 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO, with a median salary of $139,000. That's 18% lower than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations, and 31% higher than the Boulder, CO all-roles H-1B median of $106,400. Staff Software Engineer ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Boulder, CO.
Headline numbers for Staff Software Engineer H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,702 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Staff Software Engineer hiring.
Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Boulder, CO
The pay distribution for this role spans $54,200 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $129,200 and $161,400, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Software Engineers land. The median of $139,000 sits 18% lower than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $125,800
- 25th percentile
- $129,200
- Median
- $139,000
- 75th percentile
- $161,400
- 90th percentile
- $180,000
Top Employers Hiring Staff Software Engineers in Boulder, CO
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Software Engineer in Boulder, CO, with 43 certified filings (61% of local Staff Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $139,000. Among the top sponsors, SPECTRALINK pays the highest median at $165,000. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 62% ($102,000 at RICOH USA to $165,000 at SPECTRALINK)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 43 | $139,000 |
| QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER | 10 | $152,400 |
| NETAPP | 8 | $147,000 |
| RICOH USA | 2 | $102,000 |
| SPECTRALINK | 2 | $165,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Staff Software 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 Boulder, CO, which tells you whether Staff Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Staff Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. Sunnyvale, CA has the most filings (2,039) outside Boulder, CO. The highest median among these is Palo Alto, CA at $210,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale, CA | 2,039 | $184,080 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| San Francisco, CA | 991 | $207,000 |
| Austin, TX | 860 | $132,683 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 812 | $178,198 |
| San Jose, CA | 802 | $183,646 |
| Mountain View, CA | 685 | $195,000 |
| Bentonville, AR | 429 | $146,004 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 389 | $210,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 334 | $204,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Boulder, CO
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boulder, CO, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Staff Software Engineer role here (325 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $149,700.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 325 | $127,338 |
| Associate Research Associate | 154 | $65,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 117 | $130,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 70 | $107,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 70 | $149,700 |
| Research Scientist I | 51 | $96,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer in Boulder, CO is $139,000, based on 71 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 18% lower than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations. It is also 31% higher than the overall H-1B median of $106,400 in Boulder, CO across all job titles.
Salaries span a $54,200 range from the 10th percentile ($125,800) to the 90th percentile ($180,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $129,200 and $161,400, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boulder, CO, with 43 certified filings at a median salary of $139,000. Among the top employers, SPECTRALINK pays the highest median at $165,000. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Staff Software Engineer H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, answered directly from 71 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 Software Engineer salary in Boulder, CO?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO is $139,000, based on 71 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $125,800
- 25th percentile
- $129,200
- Median
- $139,000
- 75th percentile
- $161,400
- 90th percentile
- $180,000
The salary distribution for Staff Software Engineer roles in Boulder, CO shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $125,800, while the 90th percentile earns $180,000. This $54,200 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Staff Software Engineer salaries in Boulder, CO are 6% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Software Engineers in Boulder, CO?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Software Engineer positions in Boulder, CO are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Software Engineer roles specifically in Boulder, CO. QUALCOMM leads with 43 filings at a median salary of $139,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $102,000 to $165,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in Boulder, CO?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in Boulder, CO, 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, 71 H-1B positions for Staff Software Engineers in Boulder, CO 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.