The U.S. Department of Labor classifies employers using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). This directory breaks down H-1B visa sponsorship activity across 20 major industry sectors, covering 2,016 employers and 40,059 LCA filings.
| Industry | Employers | Filings | Avg Salary | Top States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | 1,079 | 21,811 | $131k | TX, CA, NJ |
| Manufacturing | 223 | 5,274 | $157k | CA, TX, MI |
| Finance & Insurance | 199 | 4,121 | $166k | NY, TX, CA |
| Information & Technology | 111 | 2,518 | $160k | CA, TX, NY |
| Educational Services | 111 | 1,790 | $90k | TX, GA, NY |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | 115 | 1,150 | $162k | MA, NY, CA |
| Retail Trade | 41 | 1,129 | $167k | WA, TX, CA |
| Wholesale Trade | 17 | 891 | $125k | TX, CA, GA |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 20 | 378 | $126k | TX, TN, FL |
| Administrative & Support Services | 24 | 272 | $104k | TX, TN, CA |
| Utilities | 21 | 192 | $167k | CA, FL, TX |
| Construction | 10 | 127 | $92k | GU, TX, GA |
| Management of Companies & Enterprises | 6 | 104 | $126k | TN, RI, TX |
| Real Estate & Rental/Leasing | 8 | 77 | $146k | NJ, TX, NY |
| Accommodation & Food Services | 8 | 76 | $135k | AZ, MI, TX |
| Public Administration | 10 | 61 | $119k | CA, OH, TX |
| Mining, Quarrying & Oil/Gas Extraction | 5 | 31 | $141k | AZ, TX, WA |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting | 3 | 29 | $180k | CA, NJ, WI |
| Other Services | 4 | 22 | $149k | IL, WA, TN |
| Arts, Entertainment & Recreation | 1 | 6 | $261k | NY |
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by federal agencies to classify business establishments by type of economic activity. Every employer filing an LCA (Labor Condition Application) for H-1B workers must provide their NAICS code, which reveals the industry sector in which they operate.
Understanding industry-level H-1B data helps job seekers identify which sectors are most active in visa sponsorship, and how compensation varies across industries. Technology and professional services consistently lead in H-1B filings, but healthcare, education, and finance are significant sponsors as well.
Click on any industry to see a detailed breakdown including the top H-1B sponsors in that sector, salary ranges, geographic distribution, and the most common job categories. You can also explore industry-specific data at the state level to find sponsors in your area.
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (NAICS 54) and Information Technology (NAICS 51) consistently lead in H-1B sponsorship volume. These sectors include major tech companies, consulting firms, and IT services providers that collectively account for over 60% of all H-1B filings.
Yes. Health Care & Social Assistance (NAICS 62) is a significant H-1B sponsor, particularly for physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and medical researchers. Many hospital systems and healthcare organizations actively sponsor H-1B workers.
Finance & Insurance and Information Technology sectors typically offer the highest average salaries for H-1B positions. Within these sectors, roles in quantitative finance, software engineering, and machine learning command the highest compensation.
Yes. Educational Services (NAICS 61) includes universities, colleges, and research institutions that sponsor H-1B visas. Many of these are also cap-exempt, meaning they can sponsor H-1B workers year-round without lottery selection.