Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 1,404 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $146,328. That's 13% lower than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations, and 22% higher than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. Staff Software Engineer ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #99 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Staff Software Engineer hiring.
Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $56,930 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $129,200 and $157,581, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Software Engineers land. The median of $146,328 sits 13% lower than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,224
- 25th percentile
- $129,200
- Median
- $146,328
- 75th percentile
- $157,581
- 90th percentile
- $177,154
Top Employers Hiring Staff Software Engineers in San Diego, CA
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Software Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 880 certified filings (63% of local Staff Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $145,000. Among the top sponsors, INTUIT pays the highest median at $161,000. The pay spread across top employers is 21%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 21% ($133,370 at QUALCOMM ATHEROS to $161,000 at INTUIT)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 880 | $145,000 |
| QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER | 224 | $142,400 |
| INTUIT | 70 | $161,000 |
| SERVICENOW | 43 | $155,397 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 40 | $133,370 |
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 San Diego, 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 (2,039) outside San Diego, CA. 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 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 |
| Fremont, CA | 329 | $194,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Staff Software Engineer role here (2,661 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff QA Engineer at a median of $133,370.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,661 | $122,720 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,640 | $121,597 |
| QA Engineer | 753 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 606 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 524 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 448 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 352 | $128,502 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 348 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 315 | $108,766 |
| Asics Engineer | 313 | $104,562 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer in San Diego, CA is $146,328, based on 1,404 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 $168,709 across all U.S. locations. It is also 22% higher than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $56,930 range from the 10th percentile ($120,224) to the 90th percentile ($177,154). The middle 50% of workers earn between $129,200 and $157,581, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 880 certified filings at a median salary of $145,000. Among the top employers, INTUIT pays the highest median at $161,000. The pay spread across top employers is 21%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 1,404 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $146,328, based on 1,404 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,224
- 25th percentile
- $129,200
- Median
- $146,328
- 75th percentile
- $157,581
- 90th percentile
- $177,154
The salary distribution for Staff Software Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,224, while the 90th percentile earns $177,154. This $56,930 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 San Diego, CA are 12% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Software Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Software Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Software Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. QUALCOMM leads with 880 filings at a median salary of $145,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $133,370 to $161,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in San Diego, 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, 1,404 H-1B positions for Staff Software Engineers in San Diego, 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.