Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 334 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $204,000. That's 21% higher than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations, and 44% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,000. Staff Software Engineer ranks #39 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Staff Software Engineer H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #798 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Staff Software Engineer hiring.
Staff Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $95,200 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $182,312 and $230,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Software Engineers land. The median of $204,000 sits 21% higher than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $160,400
- 25th percentile
- $182,312
- Median
- $204,000
- 75th percentile
- $230,000
- 90th percentile
- $255,600
Top Employers Hiring Staff Software Engineers in Seattle, WA
COUPANG GLOBAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Software Engineer in Seattle, WA, with 41 certified filings (12% of local Staff Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $190,486. Among the top sponsors, UBER pays the highest median at $246,200. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 34% ($184,000 at INDEED to $246,200 at UBER)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| COUPANG GLOBAL | 41 | $190,486 |
| UBER | 40 | $246,200 |
| AIRBNB | 21 | $204,000 |
| INDEED | 20 | $184,000 |
| SOCIAL FINANCE | 16 | $241,000 |
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 Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, WA. 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 |
| Fremont, CA | 329 | $194,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Staff Software Engineer role here (9,911 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $184,900.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,911 | $158,500 |
| Software Engineer II | 7,913 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,155 | $125,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,174 | $149,500 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,094 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,998 | $176,000 |
| Program Manager III | 1,470 | $147,630 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,311 | $184,900 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,170 | $119,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer in Seattle, WA is $204,000, based on 334 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 21% higher than the national Staff Software Engineer H-1B median of $168,709 across all U.S. locations. It is also 44% higher than the overall H-1B median of $142,000 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $95,200 range from the 10th percentile ($160,400) to the 90th percentile ($255,600). The middle 50% of workers earn between $182,312 and $230,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
COUPANG GLOBAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 41 certified filings at a median salary of $190,486. Among the top employers, UBER pays the highest median at $246,200. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 334 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA is $204,000, based on 334 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $160,400
- 25th percentile
- $182,312
- Median
- $204,000
- 75th percentile
- $230,000
- 90th percentile
- $255,600
The salary distribution for Staff Software Engineer roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $160,400, while the 90th percentile earns $255,600. This $95,200 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 Seattle, WA are 56% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Software Engineers in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Software Engineer positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Software Engineer roles specifically in Seattle, WA. COUPANG GLOBAL leads with 41 filings at a median salary of $190,486. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $184,000 to $246,200.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Software Engineer in Seattle, WA, 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, 334 H-1B positions for Staff Software Engineers in Seattle, WA 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.