Systems Engineer H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 379 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Systems Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $152,000. That's 61% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median of $94,700 across all U.S. locations, and 3% lower than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $157,477. Systems Engineer ranks #19 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Systems Engineer H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #701 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Systems Engineer hiring.
Systems Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $116,293 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $120,640 and $186,472, the interquartile range where most experienced Systems Engineers land. The median of $152,000 sits 61% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $97,302
- 25th percentile
- $120,640
- Median
- $152,000
- 75th percentile
- $186,472
- 90th percentile
- $213,595
Top Employers Hiring Systems Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Systems Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA, with 129 certified filings (34% of local Systems Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $178,006. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $205,898. The pay spread across top employers is 142%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 142% ($85,030 at JUNIPER NETWORKS (US) to $205,898 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| APPLE | 129 | $178,006 |
| 42 | $181,000 | |
| META | 17 | $205,898 |
| JUNIPER NETWORKS (US) | 13 | $85,030 |
| INFO WAY SOLUTIONS | 12 | $91,520 |
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 Sunnyvale, 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 (566) outside Sunnyvale, CA. The highest median among these is Cupertino, CA at $176,575. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Irving, TX | 566 | $94,000 |
| Austin, TX | 457 | $105,000 |
| New York, NY | 447 | $95,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 419 | $120,578 |
| Plano, TX | 391 | $93,600 |
| Dallas, TX | 366 | $105,000 |
| Cupertino, CA | 356 | $176,575 |
| San Diego, CA | 330 | $108,971 |
| Houston, TX | 314 | $85,634 |
| Charlotte, NC | 309 | $89,918 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Systems Engineer role here (16,285 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 16,285 | $168,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,575 | $160,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,146 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,701 | $175,800 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,661 | $142,800 |
| Program Manager | 1,248 | $161,000 |
| Software Developer | 974 | $120,931 |
| Software Engineer I | 697 | $143,200 |
| Project Manager | 689 | $139,443 |
| QA Engineer | 678 | $134,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Systems Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $152,000, based on 379 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 61% higher than the national Systems Engineer H-1B median of $94,700 across all U.S. locations. It is also 3% lower than the overall H-1B median of $157,477 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $116,293 range from the 10th percentile ($97,302) to the 90th percentile ($213,595). The middle 50% of workers earn between $120,640 and $186,472, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 129 certified filings at a median salary of $178,006. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $205,898. The pay spread across top employers is 142%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 379 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Systems Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $152,000, based on 379 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $97,302
- 25th percentile
- $120,640
- Median
- $152,000
- 75th percentile
- $186,472
- 90th percentile
- $213,595
The salary distribution for Systems Engineer roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $97,302, while the 90th percentile earns $213,595. This $116,293 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Systems Engineer salaries in Sunnyvale, CA are 16% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Systems Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Systems Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Systems Engineer roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. APPLE leads with 129 filings at a median salary of $178,006. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $85,030 to $205,898.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Systems Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Systems Engineer in Sunnyvale, 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, 379 H-1B positions for Systems Engineers in Sunnyvale, 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.