Principal Software Engineer, H-1B salary
Median base salary across 7,722 H-1B filings for “Principal Software Engineer” (LCA, FY2017–2026).
What is the H-1B salary for a Principal Software Engineer?
$153k median certified base salary for a Principal Software Engineer, typically $114k to $217k, across 7,722 approved H-1B LCA filings with the U.S. Department of Labor (FY2017 to FY2025). Highest in Washington at $185k median.
Median pay & filings over time
H-1B · FY2017–2026*
Top-paying states
Median for this title · ≥20 filings
Which companies sponsor H-1B for a Principal Software Engineer?
The employers that file the most H-1B petitions for Principal Software Engineer roles are Walmart, Microsoft, Cadence Design Systems, Palo Alto Networks, Inc., and Nisum Technologies Inc., based on their U.S. Department of Labor (LCA) filings. Open any for its full Principal Software Engineer filing history, pay, and open roles.
Top employers for this title
Most H-1B filings · with each employer’s median for the role
- 1Walmart401 filings$180k
- 2Microsoft222 filings$183k
- 3Cadence Design Systems171 filings$148k
- 4Palo Alto Networks, Inc.138 filings$206k
- 5Nisum Technologies Inc.119 filings$120k
- 6Intuit Inc.109 filings$176k
- 7Symantec Corporation105 filings$140k
- 8Splunk97 filings$220k
- 9Citizens Financial Group, Inc.93 filings$139k
- 10Mastercard92 filings$162k
Figures are for the exact title “Principal Software Engineer”; for a rare title we widen to the closest related titles (flagged above when that happens). To benchmark a specific offer by employer and state, use Salary Check.