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Staff Software Engineer -73% 5-Year Decline

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Job Market Trend:-22.7%vs Q1 2025
Top Sponsor: Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. (31 filings)
Highest Pay: San Francisco, CA ($247,800)
Official Federal Category: 15-1252.00 - Software Developers
Market Demand i
A+
FY 2026
2023 A+
2024 A+
2025 A+
Certified Volume i
360
Approved in FY 2026
National Median Salary i
$200,000
Typical yearly pay
PERM Conversion i
8.10%
Transition to residency
10-Year Growth i
67.20%
Decade salary trend
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Algorithmic Intelligence Brief

An automated market review of the Staff Software Engineer role.

Steady Market Demand: "A+"

Hiring trends for Staff Software Engineer professionals indicate a consistent and active job market. Supported by 360 recent visa filings, the role earns a dependable "A+" H1B Index Grade.

Low Client Focus

If you want to avoid outside contract work, this is a great choice. 99.4% of these jobs are direct company roles.

Standard Visa Checks

This role faces a normal level of government review. About 91.1% of labor requests are successfully approved for this job title.

Remote-Friendly Job

A significant volume of modern companies allow Staff Software Engineer professionals to work from anywhere. We verified that 39.7% of these specific visa holders are permanently based in an entirely different state.

Role & Industry Structure

Federal classifications for this position.

Contract Scope: Employers in the Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services sector only file full-time labor requests when hiring for this exact position.

Industry Distribution: Hiring is focused in two areas. Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services takes up 30.6%, and Information & Tech holds 23.6%.

Base Pay: Employers provide a median of $200,000 for this skill set, though senior wages can eventually reach the $445,000 ceiling.

Undergraduate Degree: You do not need a Master's degree. Major sponsors like Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. use Bachelor's degrees for permanent status.

10-Year Median Salary Trajectory

Comparing national base compensation growth for Staff Software Engineers. temporary H-1B medians vs permanent Green Card (PERM).
Upward Pay Trend: +67.2%. Employers are paying noticeably more for this skill set today compared to past years.
Compensation Adjustment: -$455. The baseline wage for a Green Card here is certified 0.2% lower than the median temporary contract.

Top Hiring Employers

Companies sponsoring the most visas for this role.
Company & Median Pay Total Approvals

Top Paying Tech Hubs

Cities ranked by highest median salaries.

Salary Percentiles i

Distribution across all federal filings.

Talent Sourcing Origin

Where employers source these workers from.

O*NET Wage Level Economics

Salary breakdown scaled by federal experience classifications.

O*NET Wage Distribution

Wage Levels Breakdown

Experience LevelTotal FilingsCohort SizeMinimum BaseMedian Salary
Entry Level (Level I)00.0%N/AN/A
Qualified (Level II)195.3%$116,000$162,500
Experienced (Level III)7921.9%$124,200$180,830
Fully Competent (Level IV)18651.7%$123,302$209,125
Not Disclosed (Blank)7621.1%$113,046$202,727

Acquisition & Industry Allocation

Talent pipeline metrics and top hiring sectors for Staff Software Engineers.

Talent Pipeline

Fresh Hires (44.7%)Transfers/Poached (55.3%)

Green Card (PERM) Conversion i

8.10% of active filings transition to residency.

Industry Sector Allocation

Primary Sector & Median Pay Total Filings
Professional, Scientific, And Tech Services 30.6% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Servicenow, Inc. | Median: $212,101
110
Information & Tech 23.6% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Linkedin Corporation | Median: $213,512
85
Retail Trade 15.3% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. | Median: $152,700
55
Finance & Insurance 13.1% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Paypal, Inc. | Median: $202,692
47
Manufacturing 10.3% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: General Motors | Median: $161,947
37

Noticing a difference in dates? Salary metrics reflect real-time DOL filings, while approval metrics rely on finalized USCIS historical data. View timelines

Top Sponsoring Employers

A detailed ledger of the companies hiring Staff Software Engineers.
Sponsoring EmployerMarket Share iLCA CountMedian SalaryVs National Avg i
Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.8.6%31$150,080-25.0% Avg
Linkedin Corporation6.4%23$216,666+8.3% Avg
Paypal, Inc.5.0%18$209,358+4.7% Avg
Servicenow, Inc.4.2%15$201,212Market Rate
Google LLC2.8%10$264,500+32.2% Avg
Uber Technologies, Inc.2.8%10$247,800+23.9% Avg
Indeed, Inc.2.8%10$173,775-13.1% Avg
Intuit Inc.2.8%10$205,980+3.0% Avg
Home Depot Management Company LLC2.2%8$168,500-15.8% Avg
Crusoe Energy Systems, Inc.1.7%6$262,500+31.2% Avg
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.1.4%5$157,581-21.2% Avg
Snowflake Inc.1.4%5$236,000+18.0% Avg
General Motors1.4%5$230,000+15.0% Avg
Teladoc Health Inc.1.1%4$148,886-25.6% Avg
Databricks, Inc.1.1%4$217,672+8.8% Avg
Moody'S Analytics, Inc.1.1%4$175,654-12.2% Avg
Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc.1.1%4$145,816-27.1% Avg
Airbnb, Inc.0.8%3$204,000+2.0% Avg
Chewy, Inc.0.8%3$207,615+3.8% Avg
Tarana Wireless, Inc.0.8%3$226,138+13.1% Avg
Granica Computing, Inc.0.8%3$230,000+15.0% Avg
Appfolio Inc.0.8%3$196,912-1.5% Avg
Pinterest, Inc.0.8%3$212,202+6.1% Avg
Wgu Corporation0.8%3$200,200Market Rate
Western Union, LLC0.8%3$144,200-27.9% Avg
Cariad, Inc.0.6%2$182,250-8.9% Avg
Blue Yonder, Inc.0.6%2$135,022-32.5% Avg
Abbott Laboratories0.6%2$150,500-24.8% Avg
Blackline Systems, Inc.0.6%2$163,550-18.2% Avg
Bill Me Later, Inc.0.6%2$160,500-19.8% Avg
Q2 Software, Inc.0.6%2$188,531-5.7% Avg
Personalis, Inc.0.6%2$218,294+9.1% Avg
Premier, Inc.0.6%2$155,016-22.5% Avg
Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.0.6%2$157,213-21.4% Avg
Okta, Inc.0.6%2$219,970+10.0% Avg
Standard Cognition, Corp.0.6%2$223,300+11.7% Avg
Paypal Data Services, Inc.0.6%2$198,488Market Rate
Redesign Health, Inc.0.6%2$200,000Market Rate
Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC0.6%2$207,200+3.6% Avg
Tubi Inc.0.6%2$313,123+56.6% Avg
Trinet USA, Inc.0.6%2$175,272-12.4% Avg
Zocdoc, Inc.0.6%2$250,000+25.0% Avg
Social Finance, LLC0.6%2$200,800Market Rate
Skydio, Inc.0.6%2$233,500+16.8% Avg
Safeway Inc.0.6%2$189,648-5.2% Avg
Coinbase, Inc.0.6%2$256,500+28.2% Avg
Harvey Ai Corporation0.6%2$238,000+19.0% Avg
Incept Labs, Inc.0.6%2$161,637-19.2% Avg
Ge Precision Healthcare LLC0.6%2$128,550-35.7% Avg
Giga Ai Inc.0.6%2$190,000-5.0% Avg
Galileo Financial Technologies, LLC0.6%2$246,974+23.5% Avg
Cohesity, Inc.0.6%2$264,514+32.3% Avg
Moody'S Investors Service, Inc.0.6%2$162,250-18.9% Avg
Gofundme, Inc.0.6%2$238,000+19.0% Avg
Coupang Global LLC0.6%2$228,770+14.4% Avg

Top Worksite Cities

A granular breakdown of compensation across different US geographic markets.
Worksite CityStateTalent Density iMedian SalaryTop Premium Payer i
SunnyvaleCA10.6%$214,256$265,000
San FranciscoCA10.0%$247,800$320,000
New YorkNY5.3%$238,000$280,000
San DiegoCA5.3%$184,974$246,000
AustinTX5.3%$170,543$230,000
Santa ClaraCA5.0%$204,181$264,514
San JoseCA4.7%$210,000$215,875
Mountain ViewCA4.4%$235,000$280,000
BentonvilleAR3.9%$151,870Market Rate
SeattleWA3.6%$212,202$253,150
BellevueWA2.5%$212,202$265,489
AtlantaGA1.9%$162,240$170,000
FremontCA1.7%$215,903$256,500
LeanderTX1.4%$170,000$200,000
IrvingTX1.4%$156,998$160,000
Foster CityCA1.1%$182,318$206,315
CharlotteNC1.1%$147,244$162,250
San MateoCA1.1%$233,500$235,000
Mountain HouseCA1.1%$213,893$242,890
DenverCO0.8%$144,200Market Rate
PlanoTX0.8%$179,915$210,000
PleasantonCA0.8%$199,381$210,000
MilpitasCA0.8%$226,138Market Rate
Menlo ParkCA0.8%$236,000Market Rate
CoppellTX0.6%$135,022Market Rate
FriscoTX0.6%$171,581$180,162
BostonMA0.6%$214,088Market Rate
Indian LandSC0.6%$155,016Market Rate
KatyTX0.6%$145,787$163,737
Jersey CityNJ0.6%$186,500Market Rate
San BrunoCA0.6%$143,000Market Rate
WalthamMA0.6%$189,066$200,000
WaukeshaWI0.6%$128,550Market Rate
Redwood CityCA0.6%$224,991$250,982
Salt Lake CityUT0.6%$209,000Market Rate
Arlington HeightsIL0.3%$149,400N/A
ArvadaCO0.3%$189,666N/A
Fort MillSC0.3%$133,536N/A
EnglewoodCO0.3%$142,314N/A
Farmington HillsMI0.3%$161,200N/A
FishersIN0.3%$125,000N/A
Ellicott CityMD0.3%$145,000N/A
DawsonvilleGA0.3%$152,131N/A
De PereWI0.3%$123,302N/A
DunwoodyGA0.3%$180,000N/A
ChicagoIL0.3%$140,000N/A
Cottonwood HeightsUT0.3%$201,600N/A
CummingGA0.3%$152,131N/A
Buffalo GroveIL0.3%$192,490N/A
CarpinteriaCA0.3%$213,179N/A
Cedar HillsUT0.3%$176,000N/A
CentennialCO0.3%$199,870N/A
CharlottesvilleVA0.3%$195,000N/A
BayonneNJ0.3%$201,058N/A
Bowling GreenOH0.3%$194,781N/A

Historical Compensation Averages

Year-over-year salary data comparing historical averages.
Fiscal YearYoY Growth iMaximumMedianAverageMinimum
2026In Progress$445,000$197,255$195,947$113,046
2025+2.3%$394,000$179,100$185,732$68.00/hr
2024+1.6%$385,000$175,000$179,197$87.00/hr
2023-1.6%$410,000$172,247$177,026$73.00/hr
2022+9.3%$327,000$175,000$171,941$55.00/hr
2021+3.5%$410,000$160,063$159,135$69.00/hr
2020+2.6%$350,000$154,669$152,363$79.00/hr
2019+4.5%$305,000$150,696$146,137$65.00/hr
2018+11.9%$288,000$144,261$139,094$43.00/hr
2017+9.2%$244,400$128,900$129,755$53.00/hr
2016N/A$257,000$117,998$121,232$0.00/hr

Live LCA Filing Ledger (FY 2026)

Raw, unedited federal disclosures showing individual labor applications filed.
Decision DateEmployerLocationBase PayWage LevelStatus
Dec 30, 2025Premier, Inc.Indian Land, SC$157,307Level IIICertified
Dec 30, 2025Paypal, Inc.San Jose, CA$248,000N/ACertified
Dec 30, 2025Linkedin CorporationSunnyvale, CA$212,505N/ACertified
Dec 30, 2025Range Finance, Inc.Bellevue, WA$230,000Level IVCertified
Dec 30, 2025Linkedin CorporationSunnyvale, CA$264,514Level IVCertified
Dec 30, 2025Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.Sunnyvale, CA$150,080N/ACertified
Dec 30, 2025Linkedin CorporationSunnyvale, CA$213,512N/ACertified
Dec 30, 2025Linkedin CorporationSunnyvale, CA$264,514Level IVCertified
Dec 29, 2025Q2 Software, Inc.Fremont, CA$213,512Level IVCertified
Dec 29, 2025Linkedin CorporationBothell, WA$212,202Level IVCertified
Dec 29, 2025Q2 Software, Inc.Austin, TX$163,550Level IVCertified
Dec 29, 2025Linkedin CorporationSan Francisco, CA$213,512Level IVCertified
Dec 29, 2025Western Union, LLCDenver, CO$146,260N/ACertified - Withdrawn
Dec 29, 2025Western Union, LLCDenver, CO$144,200N/ACertified - Withdrawn
Dec 29, 2025Cariad, Inc.Bellevue, WA$185,000N/ACertified - Withdrawn
Dec 29, 2025Cariad, Inc.Leander, TX$179,500Level IVCertified - Withdrawn
Dec 26, 2025Uber Technologies, Inc.Sunnyvale, CA$235,100Level IIICertified
Dec 26, 2025Paypal, Inc.Austin, TX$200,000Level IVCertified
Dec 26, 2025Snowflake Inc.Menlo Park, CA$230,000Level IIICertified
Dec 26, 2025Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc.Austin, TX$139,152Level IIICertified
Dec 24, 2025Qxo, Inc.Seattle, WA$230,000Level IVCertified
Dec 24, 2025General MotorsMountain View, CA$260,000N/ACertified
Dec 24, 2025Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.Bentonville, AR$150,514Level IIICertified
Dec 24, 2025Intuit Inc.New York, NY$205,980Level IVCertified
Dec 24, 2025Intuit Inc.San Diego, CA$184,974Level IVCertified
Dec 24, 2025Moody'S Analytics, Inc.Plano, TX$166,490Level IVCertified
Dec 24, 2025Intuit Inc.Mountain View, CA$219,536N/ACertified
Dec 24, 2025Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.Bellevue, WA$162,500Level IICertified
Dec 24, 2025Crux Informatics, Inc.Bayonne, NJ$201,058Level IVCertified - Withdrawn
Dec 24, 2025Goodleap, LLCTampa, FL$174,720Level IVCertified
Dec 23, 2025Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.Sunnyvale, CA$150,080N/ACertified
Dec 23, 2025Arm, Inc.Waltham, MA$178,131Level IVCertified
Dec 23, 2025Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.Mountain House, CA$150,080Level IIICertified
Dec 23, 2025Social Finance, LLCLeander, TX$200,000Level IVCertified
Dec 23, 2025Alation, Inc.Redwood City, CA$250,982Level IVCertified
Dec 23, 2025Socket, Inc.Seattle, WA$182,312Level IVCertified - Withdrawn
Dec 22, 2025Clari, Inc.Santa Clara, CA$240,000N/ACertified
Dec 22, 2025Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.Bentonville, AR$160,918Level IIICertified
Dec 22, 2025Telecommunication Systems, Inc.Ellicott City, MD$145,000Level IICertified
Dec 19, 2025General MotorsWarren, MI$172,480Level IVCertified
Dec 19, 2025Teladoc Health Inc.New York City, NY$192,275Level IVCertified
Dec 19, 2025Meta Platforms, Inc.Livermore, CA$263,803Level IVCertified
Dec 19, 2025Plusai, Inc.Fremont, CA$213,512Level IVCertified
Dec 19, 2025Gap Inc.Charlotte, NC$133,536Level IIICertified
Dec 19, 2025Paypal, Inc.San Jose, CA$248,000N/ACertified
Dec 19, 2025Skydio, Inc.San Mateo, CA$233,500Level IVCertified
Dec 19, 2025Servicenow, Inc.Santa Clara, CA$204,181N/ACertified
Dec 19, 2025Servicenow, Inc.Santa Clara, CA$204,181N/ACertified
Dec 19, 2025Intuit Inc.New York, NY$205,980Level IVCertified
Dec 18, 2025Paypal, Inc.Arvada, CO$189,666Level IVCertified
Dec 18, 2025Paypal, Inc.San Jose, CA$216,693N/ACertified
Dec 18, 2025Snowflake Inc.Menlo Park, CA$236,000Level IVCertified
Dec 18, 2025Xometry Inc.Waltham, MA$200,000Level IVCertified
Dec 18, 2025Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.Bentonville, AR$165,238Level IIICertified
Dec 18, 2025Uber Technologies, Inc.San Francisco, CA$247,800Level IVCertified

Role Specific Intelligence (FAQ)

Common questions and insights about the Staff Software Engineer role.

Are Staff Software Engineer roles remote-friendly?
Geographic flexibility is common here, with 39.7% of visa holders operating out-of-state from their core corporate office.

Where do Staff Software Engineer candidates make the most money?
The top location for this profession is San Francisco, CA, posting a median prevailing wage of $247,800.

Do employers sponsor permanent residency for Staff Software Engineer roles?
There is a documented pathway to permanent residency, with 29 recent PERM applications submitted specifically for this role.

Which company sponsors the most H-1B visas for Staff Software Engineer roles?
Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. files the highest volume of labor condition applications for this role, with 31 recent filings.