Systems Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 450 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Systems Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $122,408. That's 29% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 18% lower than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $150,000. Systems Engineer ranks #21 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Systems Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #626 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Systems Engineer hiring.
Systems Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $85,101 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $101,026 and $150,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Systems Engineers land. The median of $122,408 sits 29% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $91,354
- 25th percentile
- $101,026
- Median
- $122,408
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $176,455
Top Employers Hiring Systems Engineers in San Jose, CA
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Systems Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 46 certified filings (10% of local Systems Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $144,600. Among the top sponsors, ADOBE pays the highest median at $157,851. The pay spread across top employers is 68%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 68% ($94,120 at SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS to $157,851 at ADOBE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CISCO | 46 | $144,600 |
| ADOBE | 20 | $157,851 |
| SUPER MICRO COMPUTER | 14 | $116,730 |
| NXP USA | 13 | $154,980 |
| SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS | 11 | $94,120 |
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 Jose, 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 Jose, 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 |
| Plano, TX | 415 | $93,559 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 402 | $153,504 |
| Cupertino, CA | 379 | $176,213 |
| Dallas, TX | 377 | $105,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 340 | $112,321 |
| Houston, TX | 331 | $85,634 |
| Charlotte, NC | 328 | $90,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Jose, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Jose, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Systems Engineer role here (9,425 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Machine Learning Engineer at a median of $186,874.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,425 | $162,485 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,894 | $176,033 |
| Software Developer | 1,620 | $120,640 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,360 | $155,375 |
| Product Manager | 1,140 | $173,157 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 981 | $186,874 |
| Data Scientist | 963 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 909 | $185,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 899 | $133,875 |
| Accountant | 859 | $109,453 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Systems Engineer in San Jose, CA is $122,408, based on 450 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 29% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 18% lower than the overall H-1B median of $150,000 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $85,101 range from the 10th percentile ($91,354) to the 90th percentile ($176,455). The middle 50% of workers earn between $101,026 and $150,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 46 certified filings at a median salary of $144,600. Among the top employers, ADOBE pays the highest median at $157,851. The pay spread across top employers is 68%, 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 Jose, CA, answered directly from 450 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Systems Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $122,408, based on 450 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $91,354
- 25th percentile
- $101,026
- Median
- $122,408
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $176,455
The salary distribution for Systems Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $91,354, while the 90th percentile earns $176,455. This $85,101 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 Jose, CA are 3% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Systems Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Systems Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Systems Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. CISCO leads with 46 filings at a median salary of $144,600. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $94,120 to $157,851.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Systems Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Systems Engineer in San Jose, 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, 450 H-1B positions for Systems Engineers in San Jose, 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.