System Development Engineer I H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 171 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for System Development Engineer I positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $120,000. That's about the same as the national System Development Engineer I H-1B median of $120,000 across all U.S. locations, and 15% lower than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,000. System Development Engineer I ranks #67 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for System Development Engineer I H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,807 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for System Development Engineer I hiring.
System Development Engineer I H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $48,568 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $106,642 and $135,000, the interquartile range where most experienced System Development Engineer Is land. The median of $120,000 sits about the same as the national System Development Engineer I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $97,760
- 25th percentile
- $106,642
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $135,000
- 90th percentile
- $146,328
Top Employers Hiring System Development Engineer Is in Seattle, WA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for System Development Engineer I in Seattle, WA, with 146 certified filings (85% of local System Development Engineer I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $120,000. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $122,700. The pay spread across top employers is 33%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 33% ($92,102 at AMAZON DATA SERVICES to $122,700 at AMAZON DATA SERVICES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 146 | $120,000 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 19 | $122,700 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 5 | $92,102 |
| AMAZON ADVERTISING | 1 | $118,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national System Development Engineer I 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 System Development Engineer I pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
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-System Development Engineer I 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 System Development Engineer I in Seattle, WA is $120,000, based on 171 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is about the same as the national System Development Engineer I H-1B median of $120,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 15% lower than the overall H-1B median of $142,000 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $48,568 range from the 10th percentile ($97,760) to the 90th percentile ($146,328). The middle 50% of workers earn between $106,642 and $135,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 146 certified filings at a median salary of $120,000. Among the top employers, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $122,700. The pay spread across top employers is 33%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about System Development Engineer I H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, answered directly from 171 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 System Development Engineer I salary in Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for System Development Engineer I positions in Seattle, WA is $120,000, based on 171 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $97,760
- 25th percentile
- $106,642
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $135,000
- 90th percentile
- $146,328
The salary distribution for System Development Engineer I roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $97,760, while the 90th percentile earns $146,328. This $48,568 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, System Development Engineer I salaries in Seattle, WA are 8% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire System Development Engineer Is in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for System Development Engineer I positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for System Development Engineer I roles specifically in Seattle, WA. AMAZON leads with 146 filings at a median salary of $120,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $92,102 to $122,700.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a System Development Engineer I in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a System Development Engineer I 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, 171 H-1B positions for System Development Engineer Is 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.