Software Engineering Lead H-1B salaries — 522 certified filings (FY2016–FY2026)
- 41
- Filings · FY2025
- $154k
- Median base · FY2025
- $143k–$172k
- Middle 50% · FY2025
- Microsoft
- Top sponsor · 283 all-time
Software Engineering Lead: 522 certified H-1B LCAs since FY2016. In FY2025 the median base salary was $154k across 41 filings, with the middle 50% of offers between $143k and $172k. The biggest sponsors are Microsoft, Lexisnexis Risk Solutions, Elsevier; most filings are in Redmond, WA.
How much does a Software Engineering Lead 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. $154k median in FY2025. Base pay only — hover a year for its figures.
How has Software Engineering Lead sponsorship changed?
5 certified filings in FY2016 → 27 in FY2026. The change column is each year against the one before.
| Fiscal year | Filings | vs prior FY | Median base |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | 27 | −34% | $154k |
| FY2025 | 41 | +41% | $154k |
| FY2024 | 29 | −55% | $140k |
| FY2023 | 64 | −50% | $146k |
| FY2022 | 127 | +43% | $189k |
| FY2021 | 89 | +33% | $185k |
| FY2020 | 67 | +29% | $182k |
| FY2019 | 52 | +373% | $178k |
| FY2018 | 11 | +10% | $149k |
| FY2017 | 10 | +100% | $135k |
| FY2016 | 5 | — | $167k |
Which companies sponsor H-1B Software Engineering Leads?
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 | Microsoft | 283 | $189k |
| 2 | Lexisnexis Risk Solutions | 28 | $135k |
| 3 | Elsevier | 24 | $116k |
| 4 | Relx | 24 | $159k |
| 5 | Lexisnexis USA | 23 | $148k |
| 6 | Lexisnexis Risk Solutions FL | 17 | $144k |
| 7 | Lexisnexis Risk Data Management | 10 | $130k |
| 8 | Accuity | 10 | $136k |
| 9 | JPMorgan Chase | 6 | $130k |
| 10 | Pscu | 5 | $127k |
Where are H-1B Software Engineering Lead jobs located?
Worksite cities with the most certified filings for this title, all years.
| # | City | Filings | Median base |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redmond, WA | 217 | $189k |
| 2 | Bellevue, WA | 30 | $201k |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | 28 | $152k |
| 4 | Alpharetta, GA | 22 | $128k |
| 5 | Burlington, MA | 15 | $150k |
| 6 | Evanston, IL | 12 | $136k |
| 7 | Apex, NC | 10 | $145k |
| 8 | Mountain View, CA | 9 | $211k |
| 9 | Boca Raton, FL | 8 | $139k |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | 7 | $185k |
Common questions about Software Engineering Lead H-1B salaries
- What is the median H-1B salary for a Software Engineering Lead?
- The median certified H-1B base salary for Software Engineering Lead is $154k (FY2025), from 41 filings. Across all years the middle 50% earn between $142k and $193k.
- Which companies sponsor the most H-1B Software Engineering Leads?
- The top H-1B sponsors for Software Engineering Lead are Microsoft, Lexisnexis Risk Solutions, Elsevier.
- Where are most H-1B Software Engineering Lead jobs located?
- The top worksite locations for H-1B Software Engineering Lead roles are Redmond, WA, Bellevue, WA, Raleigh, NC.
- Does a certified LCA mean Software Engineering Lead 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 →