Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Foster City, CA
Employers have filed 328 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA, with a median salary of $147,368. That's 13% lower than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $170,000 across all U.S. locations, and 5% higher than the Foster City, CA all-roles H-1B median of $139,776. Staff Software Engineer ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Foster City, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff Software Engineer H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #922 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Staff Software Engineer hiring.
Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Foster City, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $73,926 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $137,700 and $163,800, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Software Engineers land. The median of $147,368 sits 13% lower than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,931
- 25th percentile
- $137,700
- Median
- $147,368
- 75th percentile
- $163,800
- 90th percentile
- $194,857
Top Employers Hiring Staff Software Engineers in Foster City, CA
VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Software Engineer in Foster City, CA, with 140 certified filings (43% of local Staff Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $144,726. Among the top sponsors, ACTIVISION BLIZZARD MEDIA pays the highest median at $196,400. The pay spread across top employers is 36%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 36% ($144,726 at VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS to $196,400 at ACTIVISION BLIZZARD MEDIA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS | 140 | $144,726 |
| VISA U.S.A. | 76 | $149,989 |
| CYBERSOURCE | 59 | $147,368 |
| ILLUMINA | 11 | $183,310 |
| ACTIVISION BLIZZARD MEDIA | 7 | $196,400 |
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 Foster City, CA, 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 (2,257) outside Foster City, CA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $210,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale, CA | 2,257 | $184,080 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,460 | $146,328 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,099 | $210,000 |
| Austin, TX | 940 | $133,058 |
| San Jose, CA | 909 | $185,000 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 898 | $179,396 |
| Mountain View, CA | 761 | $207,778 |
| Bentonville, AR | 485 | $146,574 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 423 | $210,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 370 | $207,000 |
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 Software Engineer role here (603 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Director at a median of $167,710.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 603 | $157,477 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 530 | $147,368 |
| Director | 153 | $167,710 |
| Research Scientist | 150 | $128,752 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 144 | $114,114 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 136 | $144,600 |
| Data Scientist | 123 | $121,600 |
| QA Engineer | 123 | $124,197 |
| Software Developer | 107 | $121,000 |
| Senior Data Engineer | 100 | $139,589 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer in Foster City, CA is $147,368, based on 328 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 13% lower than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $170,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% higher than the overall H-1B median of $139,776 in Foster City, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $73,926 range from the 10th percentile ($120,931) to the 90th percentile ($194,857). The middle 50% of workers earn between $137,700 and $163,800, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Foster City, CA, with 140 certified filings at a median salary of $144,726. Among the top employers, ACTIVISION BLIZZARD MEDIA pays the highest median at $196,400. The pay spread across top employers is 36%, 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 Foster City, CA, answered directly from 328 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 Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA is $147,368, based on 328 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,931
- 25th percentile
- $137,700
- Median
- $147,368
- 75th percentile
- $163,800
- 90th percentile
- $194,857
The salary distribution for Staff Software Engineer roles in Foster City, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,931, while the 90th percentile earns $194,857. This $73,926 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Staff Software Engineer salaries in Foster City, CA are 17% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Software Engineers in Foster City, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Software Engineer positions in Foster City, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Software Engineer roles specifically in Foster City, CA. VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS leads with 140 filings at a median salary of $144,726. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $144,726 to $196,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in Foster City, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Software 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, 328 H-1B positions for Staff Software 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.