Systems Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 340 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Systems Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $112,321. That's 18% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 7% lower than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $121,000. Systems Engineer ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Systems Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #883 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Systems Engineer hiring.
Systems Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $69,013 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $101,192 and $131,500, the interquartile range where most experienced Systems Engineers land. The median of $112,321 sits 18% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $85,987
- 25th percentile
- $101,192
- Median
- $112,321
- 75th percentile
- $131,500
- 90th percentile
- $155,000
Top Employers Hiring Systems Engineers in San Diego, CA
QUALCOMM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 153 certified filings (45% of local Systems Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $104,562. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $216,885. The pay spread across top employers is 115%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 115% ($101,109 at SELTOSOFT to $216,885 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUALCOMM | 153 | $104,562 |
| APPLE | 59 | $150,000 |
| GAMMA SCIENTIFIC | 4 | $148,000 |
| META | 4 | $216,885 |
| SELTOSOFT | 4 | $101,109 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national 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 Systems Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Systems Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Systems Engineer is an active H-1B role. Irving, TX has the most filings (592) outside San Diego, CA. The highest median among these is Cupertino, CA at $176,213. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Irving, TX | 592 | $94,037 |
| Austin, TX | 489 | $106,600 |
| New York, NY | 465 | $95,680 |
| San Jose, CA | 450 | $122,408 |
| Plano, TX | 415 | $93,559 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 402 | $153,504 |
| Cupertino, CA | 379 | $176,213 |
| Dallas, TX | 377 | $105,000 |
| Houston, TX | 331 | $85,634 |
| Charlotte, NC | 328 | $90,000 |
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-Systems Engineer role here (2,861 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 | 2,861 | $126,880 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,707 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,460 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 786 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 630 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 588 | $111,342 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 464 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 388 | $130,187 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 351 | $108,930 |
| Research Scientist | 342 | $110,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA is $112,321, based on 340 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 18% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% lower than the overall H-1B median of $121,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $69,013 range from the 10th percentile ($85,987) to the 90th percentile ($155,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $101,192 and $131,500, 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 153 certified filings at a median salary of $104,562. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $216,885. The pay spread across top employers is 115%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Systems Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, answered directly from 340 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 Systems Engineer salary in San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Systems Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $112,321, based on 340 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $85,987
- 25th percentile
- $101,192
- Median
- $112,321
- 75th percentile
- $131,500
- 90th percentile
- $155,000
The salary distribution for Systems Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $85,987, while the 90th percentile earns $155,000. This $69,013 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Systems Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA are 11% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Systems Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Systems Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Systems Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. QUALCOMM leads with 153 filings at a median salary of $104,562. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $101,109 to $216,885.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a 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, 340 H-1B positions for 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.