Software Developer (R&D) salary
From 188 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 15-1296: Software Developers, R&D
At a glance
- Mostly Level II (mid-level). 34% of Software Developer (R&D) filings are Level II, compared with 42% across all H-1B filings.
- Top filer: Resolve AI. 22 filings (12% of the total), median $240,000.
- Median up 29% since FY2020. From $85,954 in FY2020 to $110,592 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Software Developer (R&D) H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 188 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Developer (R&D) jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 15-1296, Software Developers, R&D). The median base salary is $108,534, 12% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $88,367 and $137,856. The most common wage level is Level II (mid-level), at 34% of filings. San Francisco, CA has the most filings (31), and Resolve AI is the employer that files the most (22).
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Top employers for Software Developer (R&D)
University of Illinois11 filings · 6%$81,600
University of Michigan10 filings · 5%$99,511
Employers with the most Software Developer (R&D) filings. Bar: share of all Software Developer (R&D) filings. Figure: median base salary.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 28% of filings
Mid-level · 34% of filings
Senior · 17% of filings
Expert · 22% of filings
Level medians mix different jobs, so a higher level can show a lower median. Within one job, pay rises with level.
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $80,891 | 44 |
| Level II · Qualified | $94,478 | 54 |
| Level III · Experienced | $134,676 | 27 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $120,020 | 35 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Software Developer (R&D) pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 6 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $240,000 | 31 |
| New York, NY | $136,000 | 15 |
| Chicago, IL | $90,916 | 12 |
| Champaign, IL | $81,600 | 11 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $110,420 | 10 |
| Boston, MA | $105,200 | 10 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $74,838 |
| 25th | $88,367 |
| 50th (median) | $108,534 |
| 75th | $137,856 |
| 90th | $240,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $85,954 | $75,000 | $102,517 | 111 |
| FY2021 | $92,500 | $76,350 | $103,253 | 131 |
| FY2022 | $92,742 | $76,585 | $110,901 | 131 |
| FY2023 | $92,414 | $76,000 | $108,705 | 137 |
| FY2024 | $104,417 | $85,301 | $116,740 | 108 |
| FY2025 | $106,517 | $83,142 | $135,100 | 99 |
| FY2026 | $110,592 | $95,606 | $138,038 | 89 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Software Developer (R&D) make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Software Developer (R&D) jobs is $108,534 (188 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $88,367 and $137,856.
What does an entry-level Software Developer (R&D) earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $80,891. Level I accounts for 28% of Software Developer (R&D) filings.
Which employers file the most H-1B applications for Software Developer (R&D)s?
Resolve AI (22), University of Illinois (11) and University of Michigan (10) filed the most Software Developer (R&D) LCAs in FY2025–FY2026.