Semiconductors is the highest-paying H1B sector on average, with a median wage exceeding $145,000 driven by Nvidia's extraordinary compensation, TSMC's new US fabs, and the global chip shortage spurring aggressive engineering hiring. The sector's H1B profiles are exceptional — most chipmakers file at 70–91% L3/L4, giving candidates the best lottery odds of any industry. AI accelerator demand makes 2025–2026 the strongest semiconductor H1B hiring cycle in a decade.
Key insight: Nvidia's median H1B wage of $218,000 is the highest of any major employer in the US — classifying nearly all roles at L4, giving candidates 61% theoretical lottery odds and making Nvidia the single best H1B lottery outcome in the semiconductor sector.
| Employer | Avg Wage |
|---|---|
| Nvidia | $218,000 |
| Intel | $138,000 |
| Qualcomm | $155,000 |
| AMD | $145,000 |
| Broadcom | $162,000 |
| TSMC (US fabs) | $145,000 |
| Marvell Technology | $152,000 |
| Role | Avg Wage |
|---|---|
| GPU/CPU Architect | $198,000 |
| ASIC Design Engineer | $158,000 |
| Process Engineer (Fab) | $138,000 |
| VLSI Engineer | $152,000 |
| ML Compiler Engineer | $178,000 |