The $100,000 Question: Why Do H1B Salaries Vary So Dramatically?
In 2026, the H1B visa program remains one of America's most important pathways for skilled foreign workers. But beneath the surface lies a startling reality: the company you work for can mean a difference of over $100,000 in annual salary.
Our analysis of over 5 million H1B filings reveals patterns that every job seeker, employer, and policymaker should understand.
The Numbers That Matter
Average H1B Salary in 2026: $157,259
The overall average H1B salary has climbed to $157,259 in 2026, with the median sitting at $167,533 as of January. But these numbers mask enormous variation.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 25th | $141,000 |
| 50th (Median) | $167,533 |
| 75th | $192,000 |
| 90th | $235,000+ |
Big Tech: Where the Money Is
The top-paying H1B sponsors read like a who's who of Silicon Valley:
Top 10 Highest-Paying H1B Companies (2026 Data)
| Rank | Company | Median H1B Salary | Total H1B Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meta Platforms | $205,102 | 5,123 |
| 2 | Netflix | $198,000 | 892 |
| 3 | Google (Alphabet) | $182,000 | 4,890 |
| 4 | Apple | $170,700 | 4,202 |
| 5 | Nvidia | $169,500 | 2,341 |
| 6 | Salesforce | $168,000 | 1,876 |
| 7 | Microsoft | $164,000 | 5,189 |
| 8 | Amazon | $159,000 | 15,524 |
| 9 | Adobe | $158,000 | 1,234 |
| 10 | Oracle | $152,000 | 2,456 |
The Consulting Firm Reality
Now let's look at the other end of the spectrum. The so-called "WITCH" companies (Wipro, Infosys, TCS, Cognizant, HCL) tell a very different story:
Indian IT/Consulting Firms H1B Salaries
| Company | Average H1B Salary | # of Applications | vs. Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognizant | $101,773 | 8,688 | -50% |
| Tata Consultancy (TCS) | $105,529 | 8,120 | -49% |
| Infosys | $103,102 | 4,926 | -50% |
| Wipro | $98,456 | 3,234 | -52% |
| HCL Technologies | $102,890 | 2,987 | -50% |
Why the Disparity?
1. Business Model Differences
Tech Giants (Product Companies):
Consulting Firms (Service Companies):
2. Wage Level Gaming
Our analysis reveals a troubling pattern. The Department of Labor assigns four wage levels to H1B positions:
What the data shows:
3. Geographic Arbitrage
| Company Type | Primary Locations | Cost of Living Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Big Tech | SF, NYC, Seattle | High COL = Higher Salaries |
| Consulting | Client sites nationwide | Mixed — often lower COL |
What This Means for You
If You're a Job Seeker:
If You're an Employer:
The Bottom Line
The H1B salary landscape in 2026 is defined by a tale of two markets:
This $70,000-$100,000 gap isn't going away. If anything, it's widening as tech companies compete more aggressively for AI and ML talent.
The data doesn't lie: where you work matters as much as what you do.
Data sourced from U.S. Department of Labor LCA filings (FY2024-2026). Analysis by H1B Data Hub Research Team.