Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 802 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $183,646. That's 9% higher than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations, and 26% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Staff Software Engineer ranks #9 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #240 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 Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $84,717 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $159,909 and $202,692, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Software Engineers land. The median of $183,646 sits 9% higher than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $142,168
- 25th percentile
- $159,909
- Median
- $183,646
- 75th percentile
- $202,692
- 90th percentile
- $226,885
Top Employers Hiring Staff Software Engineers in San Jose, CA
ZSCALER is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Software Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 147 certified filings (18% of local Staff Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $184,080. Among the top sponsors, PAYPAL pays the highest median at $215,000. The pay spread across top employers is 37%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 37% ($157,477 at QUALCOMM ATHEROS to $215,000 at PAYPAL)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ZSCALER | 147 | $184,080 |
| NETAPP | 95 | $165,000 |
| PAYPAL | 64 | $215,000 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 47 | $157,477 |
| A10 NETWORKS | 31 | $157,477 |
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 Jose, 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 Jose, 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 Diego, CA | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| San Francisco, CA | 991 | $207,000 |
| Austin, TX | 860 | $132,683 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 812 | $178,198 |
| 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 Jose, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Jose, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Staff Software Engineer role here (8,169 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Machine Learning Engineer at a median of $184,662.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,544 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,299 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 918 | $167,632 |
| Software Engineer II | 842 | $133,000 |
| Accountant | 805 | $108,000 |
| Data Scientist | 805 | $158,952 |
| Architect | 770 | $144,800 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 749 | $184,662 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer in San Jose, CA is $183,646, based on 802 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% higher than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations. It is also 26% higher than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $84,717 range from the 10th percentile ($142,168) to the 90th percentile ($226,885). The middle 50% of workers earn between $159,909 and $202,692, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ZSCALER is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 147 certified filings at a median salary of $184,080. Among the top employers, PAYPAL pays the highest median at $215,000. The pay spread across top employers is 37%, 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 Jose, CA, answered directly from 802 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $183,646, based on 802 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $142,168
- 25th percentile
- $159,909
- Median
- $183,646
- 75th percentile
- $202,692
- 90th percentile
- $226,885
The salary distribution for Staff Software Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $142,168, while the 90th percentile earns $226,885. This $84,717 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 Jose, CA are 41% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Software Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Software Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. ZSCALER leads with 147 filings at a median salary of $184,080. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $157,477 to $215,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in San Jose, 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, 802 H-1B positions for Staff Software Engineers in San Jose, 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.