Compare prevailing wages across H-1B job classifications side-by-side. See wage level breakdowns, salary ranges, and location-based differences for multiple occupations.
The Department of Labor establishes four prevailing wage levels for each occupation and geographic area. These levels are critical for H-1B visa compliance and increasingly important for lottery selection odds.
| Level | Percentile | Experience | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 17th | Entry | Workers with basic understanding, performing routine tasks under close supervision |
| Level 2 | 34th | Qualified | Workers with some special skills, limited exercise of judgment |
| Level 3 | 50th | Experienced | Workers who apply special skills independently, plan and conduct work |
| Level 4 | 67th | Fully Competent | Workers with highest level of expertise, supervising and training others |
Select occupations from the interactive tool above, or explore prevailing wage data for these popular H-1B job titles.
Comparing prevailing wages across occupations helps you understand the relative compensation landscape for different H-1B roles. This is valuable for:
Prevailing wages are the average wages paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation and geographic area. The Department of Labor determines prevailing wages to ensure H-1B workers are paid fairly and that hiring foreign workers does not adversely affect U.S. workers' wages.
DOL defines four wage levels for each occupation and area. Level 1 (17th percentile) is for entry-level workers, Level 2 (34th percentile) for qualified workers, Level 3 (50th percentile) for experienced workers, and Level 4 (67th percentile) for fully competent workers. These levels are based on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey.
H-1B employers must pay at least the prevailing wage for the occupation and location. Offering below prevailing wage is a ground for LCA denial. The wage level also affects H-1B lottery odds under the proposed weighted selection system.
The DOL updates prevailing wage data annually based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey. Wage determinations remain valid for the period specified (typically 90 days to 1 year depending on when obtained).
Yes. Understanding the prevailing wage for your occupation and location helps you negotiate a fair salary. Employers must pay at least Level 1 prevailing wage, but offering Level 3 or Level 4 wages can improve your H-1B lottery odds under the weighted system.