Question 1

What is the median H-1B salary at Microsoft?

Accepted Answer

Microsoft pays a median H-1B salary of $152,620 for sponsored positions, with an average of $155,290. The average prevailing wage across Microsoft's filings is $123,181. These figures are based on Labor Condition Application filings with the Department of Labor.

Question 2

What is a prevailing wage determination?

Accepted Answer

A prevailing wage determination (PWD) is a wage rate set by the Department of Labor for a specific occupation and geographic area. Before filing an LCA, employers request a PWD from the DOL, which surveys wage data to determine what workers in similar roles are typically paid in that location. H-1B employers must pay at least the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to other employees in the same role, whichever is higher. The prevailing wage column in the table above shows the DOL-determined floor for each position.

Question 3

How does Microsoft pay compared to the prevailing wage?

Accepted Answer

Microsoft's average offered wage is $155,290, compared to an average prevailing wage of $123,181 across its filings. When a company pays above the prevailing wage, it indicates the offered salary exceeds the DOL-determined market rate for the occupation and area. The salary table above shows both the offered and prevailing wages for each individual filing.

Question 4

What are H-1B wage levels I through IV?

Accepted Answer

The DOL sets prevailing wages at four levels: Level I (Entry) at the 17th percentile, Level II (Qualified) at the 34th percentile, Level III (Experienced) at the 50th percentile, and Level IV (Expert) at the 67th percentile. These levels reflect the complexity of the job duties and experience required. The prevailing wage is specific to each occupation (SOC code) and metropolitan statistical area. Higher wage levels indicate more senior positions.

Question 5

What is the H-1B salary requirement?

Accepted Answer

There is no single minimum salary for H-1B visas. Employers must pay the higher of the actual wage (what they pay other employees in the same role) or the prevailing wage determined by the DOL for the specific occupation and geographic area. The prevailing wage varies by job, location, and wage level. A Level I software engineer in a small metro area will have a very different floor than a Level IV software engineer in San Francisco or New York.

Job Title	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Software Engineer	44,304	$65,728	$143,000	$292,300
Software Engineering	17,439	$82,971	$168,700	$325,000
Program Manager	4,732	$86,653	$132,799	$226,000
Senior Software Engineer	2,212	$116,500	$155,000	$260,000
Data And Applied Scientist	1,702	$83,658	$140,000	$215,035
Product Management	1,447	$98,218	$174,112	$265,000
Technical Program Management	1,258	$98,218	$173,556	$300,000
Silicon Engineer	1,188	$75,600	$155,600	$285,819
Research, Applied And Data Sciences	1,100	$85,821	$118,414	$148,699
Program Management	1,002	$79,331	$103,064	$194,776
Senior Program Manager	946	$96,500	$160,000	$220,000
Service Engineer	874	$73,125	$131,300	$206,996
Applied Sciences	697	$117,180	$172,000	$270,623
Silicon Engineering	696	$75,600	$178,936	$275,000
Data Science	693	$109,100	$163,008	$277,980
Business Program Manager	690	$73,500	$130,050	$218,111
Technical Support Engineer	651	$77,958	$128,600	$180,710
Product Manager	618	$98,600	$175,700	$272,900
Designer	584	$86,500	$128,002	$215,700
Data Engineering	567	$105,480	$172,720	$264,000

Location	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Redmond, Washington	67,872	$45,677	$153,847	$311,500
Mountain View, California	6,949	$85,842	$183,630	$325,000
Bellevue, Washington	4,469	$77,500	$144,414	$253,573
Atlanta, Georgia	2,580	$80,371	$131,400	$248,400
Sunnyvale, California	2,094	$95,430	$160,000	$267,000
San Francisco, California	1,298	$93,000	$164,100	$292,300
Cambridge, Massachusetts	1,081	$86,500	$140,063	$217,330
Irving, Texas	1,037	$72,500	$122,365	$223,900
Morrisville, North Carolina	878	$65,728	$135,587	$216,360
New York, New York	725	$86,500	$167,000	$274,500

Microsoft — H-1B Sponsored Salaries

Microsoft H1B Salaries

Salary Distribution (2025)

Salary by Job Title (2025)

Salary by Location (2025)

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