Staff Systems Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 189 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Systems Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $139,000. That's 2% lower than the national Staff Systems Engineer H-1B median of $141,669 across all U.S. locations, and 16% higher than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. Staff Systems Engineer ranks #24 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff Systems Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,626 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Staff Systems Engineer hiring.
Staff Systems Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $42,795 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $128,835 and $148,762, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Systems Engineers land. The median of $139,000 sits 2% lower than the national Staff Systems Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $124,405
- 25th percentile
- $128,835
- Median
- $139,000
- 75th percentile
- $148,762
- 90th percentile
- $167,200
Top Employers Hiring Staff Systems Engineers in San Diego, CA
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 166 certified filings (88% of local Staff Systems Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $139,000. Among the top sponsors, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT pays the highest median at $175,555. The pay spread across top employers is 46%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 46% ($119,891 at QUALCOMM INCORPORATED to $175,555 at SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 166 | $139,000 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 7 | $148,762 |
| XCOM LABS | 3 | $136,906 |
| QUALCOMM INCORPORATED | 3 | $119,891 |
| SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT | 2 | $175,555 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Staff Systems 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 Systems Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Staff Systems Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Staff Systems Engineer is an active H-1B role. Austin, TX has the most filings (103) outside San Diego, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $162,442. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 103 | $129,563 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 93 | $162,442 |
| San Jose, CA | 77 | $148,221 |
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 Systems Engineer role here (2,661 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,661 | $122,720 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,640 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| 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 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA is $139,000, based on 189 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% lower than the national Staff Systems Engineer H-1B median of $141,669 across all U.S. locations. It is also 16% higher than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $42,795 range from the 10th percentile ($124,405) to the 90th percentile ($167,200). The middle 50% of workers earn between $128,835 and $148,762, 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 166 certified filings at a median salary of $139,000. Among the top employers, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT pays the highest median at $175,555. The pay spread across top employers is 46%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Staff Systems Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, answered directly from 189 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 Systems Engineer salary in San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Systems Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $139,000, based on 189 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $124,405
- 25th percentile
- $128,835
- Median
- $139,000
- 75th percentile
- $148,762
- 90th percentile
- $167,200
The salary distribution for Staff Systems Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $124,405, while the 90th percentile earns $167,200. This $42,795 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Staff Systems Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA are 6% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Systems Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Systems Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Systems Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. QUALCOMM leads with 166 filings at a median salary of $139,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $119,891 to $175,555.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Systems 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, 189 H-1B positions for Staff Systems 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.