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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

System Development Engineer III H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA

Employers have filed 81 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for System Development Engineer III positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $155,980. That's 7% lower than the national System Development Engineer III H-1B median of $167,149 across all U.S. locations, and 10% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,000. System Development Engineer III ranks #111 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.

Headline numbers for System Development Engineer III H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,061 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for System Development Engineer III hiring.

$155,980
Median Salary
81
Certified Filings
$140,920
10th Percentile
$185,000
90th Percentile

System Development Engineer III H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA

The pay distribution for this role spans $44,080 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $148,013 and $173,300, the interquartile range where most experienced System Development Engineer IIIs land. The median of $155,980 sits 7% lower than the national System Development Engineer III H-1B median.

10th percentile
$140,920
25th percentile
$148,013
Median
$155,980
75th percentile
$173,300
90th percentile
$185,000
Middle 50% of System Development Engineer III H-1B salaries in Seattle, WA: $148,013 to $173,300

Top Employers Hiring System Development Engineer IIIs in Seattle, WA

AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for System Development Engineer III in Seattle, WA, with 73 certified filings (90% of local System Development Engineer III H-1B filings) at a median salary of $155,980. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $185,000. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 23% ($150,000 at AMAZON ADVERTISING to $185,000 at AMAZON DATA SERVICES)

Employer Filings Median Salary
AMAZON 73 $155,980
AMAZON ADVERTISING 4 $150,000
AMAZON DATA SERVICES 3 $163,862
AMAZON DATA SERVICES 1 $185,000

How This Salary Compares

Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national System Development Engineer III 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 III pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National System Development Engineer III
-7%
7% lower than the national System Development Engineer III H-1B median of $167,149.
vs. Seattle, WA Average
+10%
10% higher than the overall H-1B median in Seattle, WA ($142,000).

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-System Development Engineer III 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 III in Seattle, WA is $155,980, based on 81 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% lower than the national System Development Engineer III H-1B median of $167,149 across all U.S. locations. It is also 10% higher than the overall H-1B median of $142,000 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $44,080 range from the 10th percentile ($140,920) to the 90th percentile ($185,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $148,013 and $173,300, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 73 certified filings at a median salary of $155,980. Among the top employers, AMAZON DATA SERVICES pays the highest median at $185,000. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about System Development Engineer III H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, answered directly from 81 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 III salary in Seattle, WA?

The median H-1B salary for System Development Engineer III positions in Seattle, WA is $155,980, based on 81 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$140,920
25th percentile
$148,013
Median
$155,980
75th percentile
$173,300
90th percentile
$185,000

The salary distribution for System Development Engineer III roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $140,920, while the 90th percentile earns $185,000. This $44,080 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 III salaries in Seattle, WA are 19% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire System Development Engineer IIIs in Seattle, WA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for System Development Engineer III positions in Seattle, WA are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for System Development Engineer III roles specifically in Seattle, WA. AMAZON leads with 73 filings at a median salary of $155,980. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $150,000 to $185,000.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a System Development Engineer III in Seattle, WA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a System Development Engineer III in Seattle, WA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 81 H-1B positions for System Development Engineer IIIs 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.