Software Development Engineer - Test H-1B salaries — 803 certified filings (FY2016–FY2026)
- 210
- Filings · FY2025
- $177k
- Median base · FY2025
- $153k–$190k
- Middle 50% · FY2025
- Apple
- Top sponsor · 741 all-time
Software Development Engineer - Test: 803 certified H-1B LCAs since FY2016. In FY2025 the median base salary was $177k across 210 filings, with the middle 50% of offers between $153k and $190k. The biggest sponsors are Apple, Godaddy Com, 3I Infotech; most filings are in Cupertino, CA.
How much does a Software Development Engineer - Test make on an H-1B?
Certified base salary by fiscal year: each box is the p25–p75 range, the heavy line the median, the whiskers reach p10–p90. $177k median in FY2025. Base pay only — hover a year for its figures.
How has Software Development Engineer - Test sponsorship changed?
5 certified filings in FY2016 → 136 in FY2026. The change column is each year against the one before.
| Fiscal year | Filings | vs prior FY | Median base |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | 136 | −35% | $174k |
| FY2025 | 210 | +156% | $177k |
| FY2024 | 82 | +1% | $174k |
| FY2023 | 81 | −35% | $172k |
| FY2022 | 124 | +100% | $170k |
| FY2021 | 62 | −6% | $162k |
| FY2020 | 66 | +214% | $154k |
| FY2019 | 21 | +75% | $90k |
| FY2018 | 12 | +200% | $91k |
| FY2017 | 4 | −20% | $106k |
| FY2016 | 5 | — | $85k |
Which companies sponsor H-1B Software Development Engineer - Tests?
The employers with the most certified filings, all years, with their median base salary. Open any employer for its full profile.
| # | Employer | Filings | Median base |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple | 741 | $172k |
| 2 | Godaddy Com | 6 | $91k |
| 3 | 3I Infotech | 6 | $75k |
| 4 | Claris International | 5 | $181k |
| 5 | A9 Com | 4 | $145k |
| 6 | Apple Payments Services | 4 | $143k |
| 7 | Ikcon Technologies | 4 | $97k |
| 8 | Afour Technologies | 3 | $72k |
| 9 | XL Softek | 3 | $106k |
| 10 | Agiletal | 3 | $79k |
Where are H-1B Software Development Engineer - Test jobs located?
Worksite cities with the most certified filings for this title, all years.
| # | City | Filings | Median base |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino, CA | 374 | $179k |
| 2 | San Diego, CA | 161 | $160k |
| 3 | Sunnyvale, CA | 100 | $176k |
| 4 | Austin, TX | 62 | $158k |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | 34 | $172k |
| 6 | New York, NY | 7 | $161k |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | 6 | $153k |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | 5 | $143k |
| 9 | Kirkland, WA | 5 | $91k |
| 10 | Palo Alto, CA | 4 | $145k |
Common questions about Software Development Engineer - Test H-1B salaries
- What is the median H-1B salary for a Software Development Engineer - Test?
- The median certified H-1B base salary for Software Development Engineer - Test is $177k (FY2025), from 210 filings. Across all years the middle 50% earn between $149k and $185k.
- Which companies sponsor the most H-1B Software Development Engineer - Tests?
- The top H-1B sponsors for Software Development Engineer - Test are Apple, Godaddy Com, 3I Infotech.
- Where are most H-1B Software Development Engineer - Test jobs located?
- The top worksite locations for H-1B Software Development Engineer - Test roles are Cupertino, CA, San Diego, CA, Sunnyvale, CA.
- Does a certified LCA mean Software Development Engineer - Test H-1B visas were approved?
- No. A Labor Condition Application (LCA) is the Department of Labor attestation an employer must have certified before filing an H-1B petition with USCIS. It records the job, worksite and offered wage, but not whether the petition was filed, selected in the lottery, or approved. Filing counts measure intent to sponsor, not headcount.
- What salary do these figures show?
- The base annual wage offered on the certified LCA, converted to a yearly amount. Bonus, equity, overtime and benefits are not included, so total compensation is typically higher. Figures are medians and percentiles over certified filings; wages above $5,000,000 a year are excluded as data-entry errors.
- What does the fiscal year mean here?
- Years are U.S. government fiscal years, October to September: FY2025 runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. This matches how the Department of Labor publishes the disclosure files. The most recent year may be partial until its final quarter is released.
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Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification — certified LCA disclosure data through June 2026 (FY2016–FY2026). An LCA is not an approved visa; pay figures are base salary and exclude bonus and equity. Methodology →