Backend Developer salary
From 1,610 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only. Which titles are included
- Job titles like “Backend Developer” across occupation codes
At a glance
- Mostly Level II (mid-level). 37% of Backend Developer filings are Level II, compared with 42% across all H-1B filings.
- Pay depends on the city. Among the 5 metro areas with the most filings, the median ranges from $112,923 in Dallas, TX to $190,486 in Seattle, WA.
- Median up 26% since FY2020. From $129,500 in FY2020 to $163,550 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Backend Developer H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 1,610 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Backend Developer jobs in FY2025–FY2026, counting filings whose job title matches across occupation codes. The median base salary is $161,568, 32% above the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $122,710 and $201,370. The most common wage level is Level II (mid-level), at 37% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 20% of filings
Mid-level · 37% of filings
Senior · 22% of filings
Expert · 22% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $105,540 | 300 |
| Level II · Qualified | $140,400 | 544 |
| Level III · Experienced | $187,574 | 321 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $215,000 | 320 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Backend Developer pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 18 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $187,741 | 390 |
| Seattle, WA | $190,486 | 224 |
| San Francisco, CA | $190,000 | 189 |
| New York, NY | $168,000 | 173 |
| Dallas, TX | $112,923 | 105 |
| Austin, TX | $140,250 | 71 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $143,000 | 53 |
| Washington, DC | $122,699 | 40 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $126,624 | 32 |
| Atlanta, GA | $111,248 | 28 |
| Chicago, IL | $116,500 | 24 |
| Boston, MA | $156,000 | 23 |
| Charlotte, NC | $112,430 | 23 |
| Houston, TX | $126,475 | 16 |
| Denver, CO | $142,248 | 11 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $118,997 | 10 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $129,399 | 10 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $113,500 | 10 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $97,585 |
| 25th | $122,710 |
| 50th (median) | $161,568 |
| 75th | $201,370 |
| 90th | $238,700 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $129,500 | $108,784 | $156,749 | 522 |
| FY2021 | $140,000 | $113,110 | $170,000 | 700 |
| FY2022 | $145,527 | $119,933 | $180,000 | 966 |
| FY2023 | $156,731 | $120,000 | $190,000 | 780 |
| FY2024 | $155,418 | $120,000 | $190,000 | 858 |
| FY2025 | $160,000 | $122,699 | $200,000 | 953 |
| FY2026 | $163,550 | $125,000 | $207,200 | 657 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Backend Developer make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Backend Developer jobs is $161,568 (1,610 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $122,710 and $201,370.
What does an entry-level Backend Developer earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $105,540. Level I accounts for 20% of Backend Developer filings.
Which city pays H-1B Backend Developers the most?
Among metro areas with at least 100 filings, Seattle, WA has the highest median base salary for Backend Developer jobs: $190,486 (224 filings).