H-1B sponsorship remains one of the most important pathways for skilled international workers seeking employment in the United States. While $65,000 is a useful benchmark for this guide, many of the largest and most active H-1B sponsors actually offer average salaries significantly above that figure, particularly in technology, consulting and finance.
It’s worth being clear from the start that an employer’s history of filing H-1B petitions doesn’t mean every job at that company comes with sponsorship. Recent H-1B labor condition application data shows major employers including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, EY, Deloitte and other large firms among the most active sponsors, but eligibility still depends on the specific role and its requirements.
What Is an H-1B Visa Sponsorship Job?
How H-1B Sponsorship Works
The process involves several linked steps between the employer and USCIS. First, the employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor, confirming the wage and working conditions offered. Once approved, the employer submits an H-1B petition to USCIS on the worker’s behalf. H-1B status is primarily designed for specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and appropriate qualifications, generally a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. It’s important to distinguish between a company having a broad H-1B sponsorship history and that same company actively sponsoring the specific vacancy you’re applying for, since these are not the same thing.
Is $65,000 Enough for an H-1B Job?
Salary alone doesn’t determine H-1B eligibility. The offered wage has to meet or exceed the applicable prevailing wage and actual wage requirements for that occupation and location, which vary considerably depending on the role, the metropolitan area, and the Department of Labor’s wage level system. Salaries at major sponsors also vary substantially by occupation and experience, so $65,000 tends to represent an entry point rather than a typical outcome at the largest employers.
Top US Companies Sponsoring H-1B Workers Above $65K
| Company | Example Average H-1B Salary | Common Sponsored Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $157K+ | Software, data, cloud, engineering |
| Microsoft | $172K+ | Software, cloud, AI, engineering |
| $185K+ | Software, AI, data, engineering | |
| Apple | $208K+ | Software, hardware, engineering |
| Meta | $205K+ | Software, AI, data, product |
| JPMorgan Chase | $162K+ | Technology, finance, analytics |
| IBM | $148K+ | IT, consulting, software |
| Deloitte | $142K+ | Consulting, technology, analytics |
| EY | $153K+ | Consulting, technology, finance |
| Accenture | $188K+ | Technology, consulting, data |
These figures are averages drawn from recent H-1B LCA filing data and should not be treated as guaranteed salaries for new hires. Actual offers depend on role, experience level, location and individual negotiation.
1. Amazon
Amazon is consistently one of the largest H-1B sponsors in the country, filing thousands of labor condition applications annually across software development, cloud computing, data science, product management and engineering roles. Amazon Web Services adds another major source of sponsored technology positions on top of Amazon’s retail and corporate technology teams. Experienced software and cloud professionals tend to find particularly strong opportunities here, and recent filing data shows Amazon’s average H-1B salary comfortably above $65K, generally landing in the $150,000-plus range.
2. Microsoft
Microsoft has a long history of hiring specialized international talent across software engineering, AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data roles. Skills tied to Azure and broader AI development carry particular value here, given the company’s heavy investment in cloud and AI products. Recent LCA data places Microsoft’s average reported H-1B salary above $170K.
3. Google
Google remains a major destination for international technology professionals, sponsoring roles across software engineering, machine learning, data science, cloud infrastructure and research. Competition for these positions tends to be intense, so strong technical credentials and a genuinely competitive application matter significantly. Recent H-1B data shows an average salary around $185K.
4. Apple
Apple offers opportunities across software, hardware, machine learning and broader engineering disciplines. Specialized technical expertise, particularly in areas tied to Apple’s core hardware and software integration, can make applicants noticeably more competitive. Recent H-1B salary data shows Apple’s average reported wages above $200K, among the highest of any major sponsor.
5. Meta
Meta sponsors roles spanning software engineering, AI and machine learning, data science, infrastructure and product management. Meta’s technology-heavy workforce creates consistent opportunities for highly specialized candidates, particularly those with strong AI or large-scale infrastructure experience. Recent average H-1B salary data for Meta exceeds $200K.
6. JPMorgan Chase
H-1B sponsorship isn’t limited to technology companies, and JPMorgan Chase is a clear example. The bank sponsors roles in software engineering, quantitative analysis, cybersecurity, data analytics and financial technology, reflecting how deeply finance and technology now overlap. Recent reported H-1B salaries at JPMorgan Chase average above $160K.
7. IBM
IBM sponsors a wide range of technology, cloud, AI, consulting and enterprise software positions. Experienced IT professionals, particularly those with relevant certifications and enterprise technology experience, tend to find strong opportunities here. Recent salary data shows IBM’s average H-1B wages well above $65K, generally around $148K.
8. Deloitte
Deloitte offers opportunities in technology consulting, cybersecurity, data, cloud and business systems. Consulting firms like Deloitte represent another significant route into the U.S. job market for international professionals, particularly those combining technical skills with client-facing consulting experience. Deloitte maintains a large H-1B filing footprint, with reported average salaries substantially above $65K.
9. Ernst & Young (EY)
EY sponsors roles across technology consulting, data analytics, financial technology and specialized business advisory positions. Accounting and consulting professionals who’ve developed strong technology skills can find real opportunities here, since EY’s filing volume and salary data both reflect a consistent, active sponsorship program.
10. Accenture
Accenture sponsors positions across technology consulting, cloud transformation, cybersecurity, software development and data analytics. Specialized technical and consulting experience tends to improve competitiveness significantly, given the breadth and scale of Accenture’s client work. Current H-1B salary data shows reported average wages substantially above $65K.
Best H-1B Jobs Paying More Than $65K
Software Engineer
One of the most common high-paying H-1B occupations, generally requiring skills in Java, Python, JavaScript, cloud platforms, databases and broader software architecture.
Data Scientist
Strong statistics, machine learning, Python and SQL skills, along with growing AI expertise, translate into strong salary potential at major technology companies.
Cloud Engineer
Expertise in AWS, Azure or Google Cloud is in high demand, reflecting continued growth in cloud infrastructure and distributed systems across nearly every industry.
Cybersecurity Specialist
Security engineering, threat detection, cloud security and compliance expertise are all valued, and relevant certifications can meaningfully strengthen an application.
AI and Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning, deep learning, model deployment and data engineering skills are increasingly in demand, and AI-related expertise specifically can command particularly high compensation given how central it’s become to major employers’ product strategies.
How to Find Companies That Sponsor H-1B Visas
Search for Sponsorship-Friendly Employers
Look for companies with documented H-1B filing histories, using government labor data and reputable H-1B databases to research specific employers. Historical sponsorship activity is a useful indicator of a company’s willingness to sponsor, but it’s not a guarantee that any particular open role will come with sponsorship.
Search the Right Job Keywords
Useful search terms include “H-1B sponsorship,” “visa sponsorship available,” “will sponsor qualified candidates,” “immigration sponsorship” and “H-1B transfer sponsorship,” all of which help filter for genuinely open positions.
Check the Job Description Carefully
Look for explicit sponsorship restrictions in the posting, check whether the position accepts candidates requiring future sponsorship, and confirm directly with the recruiter when the listing is unclear, rather than assuming based on the company’s general reputation.
How to Qualify for a $65K+ H-1B Sponsored Job
- Obtain a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification where required
- Build specialized professional experience in your target field
- Develop in-demand technical skills relevant to your occupation
- Create a strong U.S.-style resume
- Build a portfolio for technical positions where relevant
- Use LinkedIn and professional networking actively
- Apply for positions that closely match your education and experience
H-1B Sponsorship vs Salary: What Matters More?
The highest salary isn’t necessarily the best overall opportunity. It’s worth comparing salary alongside sponsorship history, job stability, location and realistic career progression, along with total compensation including bonuses, equity and benefits, not just base pay. Cost of living matters significantly too, since a $100,000 salary in a high-cost city can end up less attractive in practice than a lower salary in a more affordable location.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
- Applying to jobs that explicitly reject sponsorship
- Assuming every position at a major sponsor automatically qualifies
- Focusing only on salary rather than the whole opportunity
- Using a generic resume for every application
- Ignoring degree or specialty-occupation requirements
- Paying unauthorized third parties for supposed sponsorship
- Relying on outdated H-1B employer lists rather than current filing data
Frequently Asked Questions
Which US companies sponsor the most H-1B workers?
Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta and Apple are consistently among the largest sponsors by filing volume, alongside major consulting firms like Deloitte, EY and Accenture.
Can I get an H-1B job paying more than $65,000 without a master’s degree?
Yes, a relevant bachelor’s degree combined with the right specialized knowledge can qualify for many roles, though certain positions and wage levels may favor advanced-degree holders.
Which jobs are most likely to receive H-1B sponsorship?
Roles in software engineering, data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity and AI consistently show the highest volume of H-1B sponsorship across major employers.
Can I apply for H-1B sponsorship from outside the United States?
Yes, many employers do hire and sponsor candidates applying from abroad, particularly for specialized technical roles where domestic talent is harder to find.
Does an H-1B sponsor guarantee visa approval?
No, a company’s willingness to sponsor doesn’t guarantee approval, since petitions are still subject to the annual cap, lottery selection where applicable, and USCIS review.
How much does an H-1B-sponsored software engineer make?
Salaries vary considerably by company and location, but recent filing data shows average software engineering salaries at major sponsors ranging from roughly $125,000 up to well over $200,000.
Do consulting companies sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, firms like Deloitte, EY and Accenture are major H-1B sponsors, particularly for technology consulting, data and cybersecurity roles.
Can an H-1B job lead to a green card?
Often yes, since many H-1B employers also sponsor employees for permanent residence through the PERM labor certification process once eligibility requirements are met.
Final Thoughts
$65,000 is a relatively modest benchmark compared with the compensation reported in many recent H-1B filings at major U.S. employers, where average salaries frequently run well into six figures. Sponsorship history, job eligibility, qualifications and wage requirements all matter together, not in isolation. Prioritize employers with verified sponsorship records rather than relying solely on job-board claims. The most practical strategy is to identify your target occupation, research companies with recent H-1B filings, tailor your applications specifically to what those employers are looking for, and confirm sponsorship availability for the specific role before investing significant time in the process.