When considering the influence of the fifth-order nonlinearity on the propagation of optical pulse, the propagation of bright soliton-like pulse in optical fiber satisfies the following nonlinear Schrdinger equation with the fifth-order nonlinear term. By using of He′s semi-inverse method, the variational form to this equation is established firstly. Then, the Sech expression formula to the traveling wave solution of the equation is derived by utilizing He′s variational method. At the same time, motivatied by He′s exp-function method, a new Guass expression formula of the solution is obtained. On the one hand, one can further study the influence of fifth-order nonlinearity on the propagation of pulse in optical fiber based on these expression formulae. On the other hand, the solution process reveals that He′s variational method is an easy, concise and effective method to solve nonlinear evolution equations arising in mathematical physics.