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NVIDIA H-1B Visa Sponsorship & Salary Data

NVIDIA has filed 6,636 H-1B labor condition applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026, with 6,569 certified. The median H-1B salary at NVIDIA is $171,018, which is 43% higher than the national H-1B median of $120,000.

6,569
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$171,018
Median Salary
+43% vs national
0.2%
Denial Rate
14 denied of 6,636
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis

Salary Range

  • 10th percentile: $125,896
  • 25th percentile: $147,992
  • Median: $171,018
  • 75th percentile: $197,933
  • 90th percentile: $224,000

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 129 (3%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 848 (17%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 1,001 (20%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 3,087 (61%)

Trend (2020-2026)

  • Starting median: $153,000
  • Current median: $196,000
  • Growth: +28%

Salary & Hiring Visualizations

Salary Distribution

Distribution of H-1B salaries at NVIDIA

NVIDIA's H-1B salaries range from $125,896 to $224,000 (10th-90th percentile), with a median of $171,018. This is 43% above the national H-1B median.

Wage Level Distribution

DOL wage levels affect H-1B lottery priority

NVIDIA files 97% of H-1B positions at Level II or higher. Higher wage levels receive priority in the H-1B lottery, giving NVIDIA candidates a competitive advantage.

Median Salary Trend

Year-over-year salary changes

NVIDIA's median H-1B salary increased by +28% from FY 2020 ($153,000) to FY 2026 ($196,000). This strong growth reflects competitive compensation adjustments.

H-1B Filings by Year

Annual hiring activity through H-1B program

NVIDIA's H-1B filings changed by -17% from FY 2020 to FY 2026.

Salary by Job Title

Top roles by filing volume, showing salary distribution

Architect (545)
$158K
Hardware Engineer (728)
$166K
Software Engineer (1,427)
$173K
Research Scientist (237)
$174K
Engineer Senior Systems Software (222)
$180K
$50K $125K $200K $300K+

The highest-volume H-1B role at NVIDIA is Software Engineer with 1,427 filings at $173,229 median salary.

Salary by Location

Salary distribution across office locations (sorted by median)

Austin, TX (453)
$156K
Hillsboro, OR (120)
$158K
Santa Clara, CA (4,143)
$175K
Redmond, WA (240)
$181K
Seattle, WA (139)
$181K
$50K $125K $200K $300K+

NVIDIA's largest H-1B hub is Santa Clara, CA with 4,143 filings. The highest-paying location is Redmond, WA at $180,710 median.

Highest Paying H-1B Roles at NVIDIA

Ranked by median salary — Unlike "Salary by Job Title" above which shows the most common roles by filing volume, this section ranks all H-1B positions by their median compensation to highlight the best-paying opportunities.

These are the top 10 highest-paying H-1B job titles at NVIDIA, ranked by median salary. The highest-paying role is Program Manager at $183,534 median, which is 7% above the company's overall H-1B median of $171,018.

High-paying H-1B roles typically require advanced technical expertise, specialized domain knowledge, or significant leadership responsibility. Factors influencing top-tier compensation include years of experience, educational credentials (PhD, Master's degrees), rare skill combinations, and market demand for specific technologies. The salary distribution chart below each role shows how compensation varies—wider distributions indicate more salary negotiation flexibility, while narrow peaks suggest standardized pay bands. Senior and principal-level positions consistently command premium salaries due to their strategic impact and scarcity of qualified candidates.

1

Program Manager

183 H-1B filings at NVIDIA

$183,534
+7% vs company median
$100K-$125K: 2.2%
$125K-$150K: 8.2%
$150K-$175K: 9.3%
$175K-$200K: 21.9%
$200K-$225K: 29.5%
$225K-$250K: 22.4%
$250K-$275K: 4.4%
$275K-$300K: 2.2%
$50K $175K $300K+
2

Engineer Senior Systems Software

222 H-1B filings at NVIDIA

$180,000
+5% vs company median
$125K-$150K: 0.5%
$150K-$175K: 13.1%
$175K-$200K: 24.3%
$200K-$225K: 32.9%
$225K-$250K: 24.8%
$250K-$275K: 1.4%
$275K-$300K: 3.2%
$50K $175K $300K+
3

Research Scientist

237 H-1B filings at NVIDIA

$173,971
+2% vs company median
$100K-$125K: 0.8%
$125K-$150K: 2.1%
$150K-$175K: 12.7%
$175K-$200K: 36.7%
$200K-$225K: 26.2%
$225K-$250K: 13.9%
$250K-$275K: 3.0%
$275K-$300K: 4.6%
$50K $175K $300K+
4

Software Engineer

1,427 H-1B filings at NVIDIA

$173,229
+1% vs company median
$100K-$125K: 1.1%
$125K-$150K: 8.5%
$150K-$175K: 18.8%
$175K-$200K: 22.9%
$200K-$225K: 24.3%
$225K-$250K: 13.2%
$250K-$275K: 7.7%
$275K-$300K: 3.3%
$300K-$325K: 0.1%
$50K $175K $300K+
5

Hardware Engineer

728 H-1B filings at NVIDIA

$166,026
-3% vs company median
$100K-$125K: 0.7%
$125K-$150K: 10.9%
$150K-$175K: 19.2%
$175K-$200K: 31.2%
$200K-$225K: 23.2%
$225K-$250K: 11.5%
$250K-$275K: 2.7%
$275K-$300K: 0.5%
$50K $175K $300K+
6

Architect

545 H-1B filings at NVIDIA

$158,358
-7% vs company median
$100K-$125K: 1.5%
$125K-$150K: 12.5%
$150K-$175K: 24.8%
$175K-$200K: 21.5%
$200K-$225K: 20.4%
$225K-$250K: 14.5%
$250K-$275K: 1.8%
$275K-$300K: 3.1%
$50K $175K $300K+

Salary data based on 6,569 certified H-1B labor condition applications at NVIDIA. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, specific role requirements, and location within the company.

Highest Individual H-1B Salaries at NVIDIA

Actual filed salaries — These are the 10 highest individual H-1B salary filings at NVIDIA, representing specific positions (not aggregated medians). These may include executive, highly specialized, or senior leadership roles.

The highest H-1B salary filed at NVIDIA was $368,000 for a Director, Systems Software position in Santa Clara, CA (FY2025). This is 115% higher than the company's median H-1B salary.

Top H-1B salaries often cluster in high cost-of-living metros like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle where prevailing wages are higher. However, executive and specialized roles can command premium compensation regardless of location. These filings represent the upper bound of H-1B compensation at NVIDIA—actual total compensation may be significantly higher when including stock grants, bonuses, and benefits. Geographic patterns in top salaries often reflect where companies locate their most senior technical talent and leadership positions.

Where are the highest-paid H-1B positions located?

Marker size indicates salary level. Click markers for details.

Rank Job Title Location Salary Level Year
1 Director, Systems Software Santa Clara, CA $368,000 IV FY 2025
2 Director Systems Software Santa Clara, CA $360,000 IV FY 2022
3 Distinguished Engineer Santa Clara, CA $360,000 N/A FY 2024
4 Senior Hardware Engineer Santa Clara, CA $340,000 IV FY 2025
5 Principal Applications Engineer Santa Clara, CA $324,500 IV FY 2021
6 Senior Product Manager Santa Clara, CA $321,200 IV FY 2024
7 Distinguished Engineer Santa Clara, CA $320,000 IV FY 2022
8 Director, System Software Santa Clara, CA $320,000 IV FY 2022
9 Director Systems Software Santa Clara, CA $320,000 IV FY 2023
10 Director Systems Software Santa Clara, CA $320,000 IV FY 2023

These represent the highest individual salary amounts filed in H-1B labor condition applications. Note: H-1B salary data reflects base compensation only and does not include stock options, RSUs, bonuses, or other benefits which can significantly increase total compensation at tech companies.

Detailed Breakdown

H-1B Job Titles at NVIDIA

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 1,427 $173,229
Hardware Engineer 728 $166,026
Architect 545 $158,358
Research Scientist 237 $173,971
Engineer Senior Systems Software 222 $180,000
Program Manager 183 $183,534

H-1B Locations for NVIDIA

Location Filings Median Salary
Santa Clara, CA 4,143 $175,000
Austin, TX 453 $156,000
Redmond, WA 240 $180,710
Seattle, WA 139 $180,710
Hillsboro, OR 120 $158,309
Westford, MA 114 $143,707
Durham, NC 105 $138,902
New York, NY 82 $176,000
San Diego, CA 47 $180,000
Folsom, CA 36 $177,341

Recent H-1B Filings at NVIDIA

Sample of 20 recent certified H-1B labor condition applications. This represents a small fraction of NVIDIA's 6,569 total certified filings.

Job Title Location Salary Level Year
Hardware Engineer Building 2, Suite 100, TX $196,000 IV FY 2026
Software Engineer Santa Clara, CA $187,574 N/A FY 2026
Senior Architect Santa Clara, CA $157,857 N/A FY 2026
Hardware Engineer Austin, TX $110,656 II FY 2026
QA Engineer Santa Clara, CA $210,642 N/A FY 2026
Senior Architect Santa Clara, CA $216,091 IV FY 2026
Asic Engineer Santa Clara, CA $216,091 IV FY 2026
Software Engineer Santa Clara, CA $149,365 I FY 2026
Applications Engineer Santa Clara, CA $191,715 N/A FY 2026
Research Scientist Santa Clara, CA $226,933 N/A FY 2026
Hardware Engineer Santa Clara, CA $216,091 IV FY 2026
Hardware Engineer Santa Clara, CA $216,091 IV FY 2026
Software Engineer Redmond, WA $224,000 IV FY 2026
Senior Architect Austin, TX $184,000 IV FY 2026
Principal Software Engineer Santa Clara, CA $264,514 IV FY 2026
Asic Engineer Santa Clara, CA $196,679 N/A FY 2026
Engineer System Design Hillsboro, OR $192,000 IV FY 2026
Engineer Senior Asic Santa Clara, CA $197,558 N/A FY 2026
Software Engineer Redmond, WA $212,202 IV FY 2026
Engineer Senior Systems Software Santa Clara, CA $173,329 N/A FY 2026

Data source: U.S. Department of Labor LCA Disclosure Files. Showing most recent certified filings.

Frequently Asked Questions about NVIDIA H-1B Visas

What is the average H-1B salary at NVIDIA?

The median H-1B salary at NVIDIA is $171,018, based on 6,569 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 43% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $120,000. Compensation at NVIDIA reflects their market positioning, with entry-level roles starting around $147,992 and senior positions reaching $224,000 or higher. These figures represent base salaries in LCA filings and may not include bonuses, equity grants, or other compensation common at large employers.

10th %ile Median 90th %ile
$125,896 $171,018 $224,000

Salaries at NVIDIA range from $125,896 at the 10th percentile to $224,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $98,104 spread across experience levels and roles. The 25th percentile is $147,992 and the 75th percentile is $197,933.

Does NVIDIA sponsor H-1B visas?

Yes, NVIDIA actively sponsors H-1B visas and has been a consistent participant in the H-1B program. They have filed 6,636 H-1B labor condition applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026, demonstrating ongoing commitment to hiring international talent. With 6,569 certified applications and a 0.2% denial rate, NVIDIA maintains a strong track record for H-1B sponsorship. The company sponsors positions across multiple job categories and locations, making them a viable option for professionals seeking H-1B visa sponsorship.

H-1B Filing History
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

In the most recent fiscal year (FY 2026), NVIDIA filed 443 H-1B applications, with 434 certified and 1 denied. Over 7 years of data, NVIDIA has consistently demonstrated commitment to H-1B sponsorship.

Note: These are Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the Department of Labor, which is a prerequisite for H-1B petitions. The actual number of H-1B petitions filed with USCIS may differ.

What is NVIDIA's H-1B approval rate?

NVIDIA's LCA (Labor Condition Application) denial rate is 0.2%, with 14 out of 6,636 applications denied across all years. This translates to a 99.8% certification rate, which indicates how successfully the company prepares and files H-1B applications. A lower denial rate suggests better compliance with Department of Labor requirements, proper wage documentation, and accurate job classification. Prospective H-1B applicants should consider this approval rate alongside other factors like salary, job role, and location when evaluating NVIDIA as a potential H-1B sponsor.

Approval vs Denial Rate
99.8% Certified
6,569 certified 14 denied

This is an excellent approval rate, indicating NVIDIA has strong H-1B sponsorship practices and typically meets DOL requirements. Applicants can feel confident in the company's H-1B track record.

What jobs does NVIDIA sponsor for H-1B?

NVIDIA sponsors H-1B visas for various specialty occupation positions requiring at least a bachelor's degree. Based on 6,569 certified filings, the most commonly sponsored job titles reflect the company's primary business functions and talent needs. These positions typically require specialized knowledge in fields like technology, engineering, finance, or scientific research. Understanding which roles NVIDIA most frequently sponsors can help job seekers target their applications effectively.

Most common H-1B job titles at NVIDIA:

Software Engineer
$173,229
Hardware Engineer
$166,026
Architect
$158,358
Research Scientist
$173,971
Engineer Senior Systems Software
$180,000

The most frequently sponsored role is Software Engineer with 1,427 filings at a median salary of $173,229. This is followed by Hardware Engineer (728 filings) and Architect.

Where are NVIDIA's H-1B jobs located?

NVIDIA's H-1B positions are distributed across multiple U.S. locations, with concentration in major metropolitan areas and tech hubs. Geographic distribution often reflects company office locations, client sites, and regional market demands. Location significantly impacts H-1B salary due to varying cost of living and local wage requirements. Understanding where NVIDIA sponsors H-1B workers can help candidates target specific offices and negotiate appropriate compensation for each market.

Top NVIDIA H-1B locations:

Circle size indicates relative H-1B filing volume

The largest H-1B hub for NVIDIA is Santa Clara, CA with 4,143 filings at a median salary of $175,000. The highest-paying location is Redmond, WA at $180,710 median. Salaries range from $138,902 to $180,710 across office locations.

How have NVIDIA's H-1B salaries changed over time?

NVIDIA's median H-1B salary has increased by +28% from FY 2020 ($153,000) to FY 2026 ($196,000). Tracking salary trends over time reveals how NVIDIA adjusts compensation to remain competitive in the H-1B labor market. Salary growth typically reflects inflation adjustments, increased demand for specialized skills, and evolving prevailing wage requirements. These historical trends can help applicants understand future salary expectations and negotiate appropriately when considering H-1B opportunities at NVIDIA.

Median Salary Trend
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

Year-by-year breakdown:

  • FY 2022: $157,477 (840 certified)
  • FY 2023: $166,622 (981 certified)
  • FY 2024: $178,006 (1,331 certified)
  • FY 2025: $185,155 (1,853 certified)
  • FY 2026: $196,000 (434 certified)

This 28% growth reflects strong compensation adjustments at NVIDIA, keeping pace with market demands for H-1B talent.

What wage level does NVIDIA use for H-1B?

NVIDIA primarily files H-1B applications at Wage Level IV, accounting for 61% of their filings. DOL wage levels range from Level I (entry-level, 17th percentile of local wages) to Level IV (expert, 67th percentile). Wage level determines both salary requirements and, under recent H-1B rules, lottery selection priority. Higher wage levels receive preference in the H-1B lottery, making NVIDIA's wage level distribution an important factor for prospective applicants assessing their chances of H-1B selection.

Wage Level Distribution
II
III
IV
I: 3% II: 17% III: 20% IV: 61%

With 97% of positions at Level II or higher, NVIDIA typically offers competitive wages above entry-level. Higher wage levels receive priority in the H-1B lottery.

How does NVIDIA's H-1B salary compare to other employers?

NVIDIA's median H-1B salary of $171,018 is 43% higher than the national H-1B median of $120,000 across all employers and industries. This comparison provides context for evaluating NVIDIA's competitiveness in attracting H-1B talent. Keep in mind that industry, location, and job function significantly impact salary levels. Tech companies and financial institutions typically offer higher H-1B salaries than other sectors, while salaries in major metros like San Francisco and New York exceed those in smaller markets. Compare NVIDIA's offerings with similar companies in your field for a more accurate assessment.

vs National H-1B Median
NVIDIA
$171,018
National
$120,000
+43% above national median

This places NVIDIA among the higher-paying H-1B sponsors in the industry. Candidates considering H-1B sponsorship should weigh this competitive compensation alongside other factors like role growth, location, and visa processing track record.

How do new H-1B fees and rules affect NVIDIA's sponsorship?
Estimated H-1B Sponsorship Costs (FY 2025)
I-129 Base Filing Fee $1,655
ACWIA Fee (25+ employees) $1,500
Fraud Prevention Fee $500
Asylum Program Fee $600
H-1B Registration Fee $215
Premium Processing (optional) $2,805
Estimated Total per H-1B $4,470 - $7,275+

Recent H-1B rule changes have increased filing fees and introduced wage-level prioritization in the lottery. NVIDIA's higher proportion of Level III-IV positions (81%) may benefit from wage-based lottery prioritization.

With 6,569 certified filings, NVIDIA invests significantly in H-1B sponsorship. The company's 0.2% denial rate suggests strong compliance with H-1B requirements and documentation standards.

Note: H-1B regulations are subject to change. Fees shown are estimates based on 2024 USCIS fee schedules. Actual costs may vary based on company size, premium processing, and future rule changes.

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