H-1B wage levels and prevailing wages
Data as of · Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC wage data for the 2026-27 wage year (July 1 to June 30) · Sources checked
An employer filing an H-1B Labor Condition Application or a PERM labor certification must pay at least the prevailing wage for the job's occupation, area and wage level. The Department of Labor publishes these wages every July for the wage year running to the following June 30. The four levels below use the wording of DOL's prevailing wage guidance; the tables show the 2026-27 figures for common H-1B occupations. Wage levels now also matter for the H-1B lottery: USCIS says that when a random selection is needed it is weighted by the wage level of the offered job (see H-1B lottery).
What each level means
From DOL's Prevailing Wage Determination Policy Guidance (revised November 2009).
Level I (entry)
For beginning employees who have only a basic understanding of the occupation, perform routine tasks with limited judgment and work under close supervision. A research fellow, worker in training or internship points to Level I.
Level II (qualified)
For qualified employees who have a good understanding of the occupation through education or experience and perform moderately complex tasks that require limited judgment.
Level III (experienced)
For experienced employees with special skills or knowledge who exercise judgment and may coordinate or supervise other staff. Titles such as lead, senior, head or chief point to Level III.
Level IV (fully competent)
For employees who plan and conduct work requiring judgment, use advanced skills to solve unusual and complex problems, and generally have management or supervisory duties.
Prevailing wages by occupation, 2026-27
Annual wage (hourly × 2,080) from DOL's All Industries table, used by most employers. Colleges, universities and nonprofit research organizations use DOL's separate ACWIA higher-education wages. Jump to an occupation:
Computer and Information Systems Managers (SOC 11-3021)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $134,493 | $163,717 | $192,962 | $222,186 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $128,128 | $160,139 | $192,130 | $224,141 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $151,570 | $185,765 | $219,960 | $254,155 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $124,842 | $154,690 | $184,517 | $214,365 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $127,525 | $156,478 | $185,432 | $214,386 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $119,558 | $150,717 | $181,896 | $213,054 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $136,885 | $172,411 | $207,938 | $243,464 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $153,899 | $189,259 | $224,640 | $260,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $167,565 | $208,104 | $248,643 | $289,182 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | – | – | – | – |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $146,453 | $188,718 | $230,963 | $273,229 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $147,472 | $177,070 | $206,648 | $236,246 |
Management Analysts (SOC 13-1111)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $68,869 | $89,835 | $110,781 | $131,747 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $74,277 | $97,115 | $119,974 | $142,813 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $92,518 | $120,910 | $149,323 | $177,715 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $67,475 | $91,915 | $116,334 | $140,774 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $70,075 | $91,042 | $112,029 | $132,995 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $68,307 | $90,293 | $112,299 | $134,285 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,515 | $94,973 | $121,430 | $147,888 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $76,648 | $104,978 | $133,307 | $161,637 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $73,258 | $105,165 | $137,093 | $169,000 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $92,082 | $121,306 | $150,550 | $179,774 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $83,054 | $106,059 | $129,064 | $152,069 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,154 | $115,586 | $145,018 | $174,450 |
Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,216 | $78,978 | $97,718 | $116,480 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $61,194 | $76,170 | $91,166 | $106,142 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $74,006 | $91,250 | $108,493 | $125,736 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,920 | $77,376 | $91,853 | $106,309 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $61,381 | $76,877 | $92,352 | $107,848 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $62,587 | $79,040 | $95,472 | $111,925 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $64,314 | $81,931 | $99,570 | $117,187 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $75,046 | $97,053 | $119,059 | $141,066 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,146 | $99,362 | $120,557 | $141,773 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $83,429 | $105,872 | $128,294 | $150,738 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $74,610 | $90,709 | $106,808 | $122,907 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $72,384 | $92,914 | $113,422 | $133,952 |
Financial and Investment Analysts (SOC 13-2051)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $73,154 | $92,248 | $111,363 | $130,458 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $71,864 | $94,515 | $117,146 | $139,797 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $82,950 | $107,016 | $131,061 | $155,126 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,072 | $92,269 | $112,486 | $132,683 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $68,640 | $91,437 | $114,213 | $137,010 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $72,134 | $92,685 | $113,256 | $133,806 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $74,485 | $95,493 | $116,522 | $137,530 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $87,339 | $117,686 | $148,054 | $178,402 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $85,800 | $114,046 | $142,272 | $170,518 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $102,024 | $129,542 | $157,061 | $184,579 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,926 | $106,579 | $128,253 | $149,906 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $77,438 | $100,443 | $123,427 | $146,432 |
Computer Systems Analysts (SOC 15-1211)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $77,480 | $98,488 | $119,475 | $140,483 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $76,710 | $95,347 | $113,963 | $132,600 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $91,042 | $111,280 | $131,539 | $151,778 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $71,531 | $89,315 | $107,078 | $124,862 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $81,453 | $101,587 | $121,701 | $141,835 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $77,522 | $98,176 | $118,851 | $139,506 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $85,446 | $104,042 | $122,616 | $141,211 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $83,616 | $106,267 | $128,939 | $151,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $95,930 | $120,536 | $145,163 | $169,770 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $102,960 | $129,938 | $156,894 | $183,872 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,715 | $110,427 | $134,160 | $157,872 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $84,885 | $106,725 | $128,565 | $150,405 |
Network and Computer Systems Administrators (SOC 15-1244)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $72,509 | $89,190 | $105,872 | $122,554 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $73,341 | $91,874 | $110,386 | $128,918 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $83,990 | $102,128 | $120,245 | $138,382 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $74,131 | $91,416 | $108,701 | $125,986 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $72,114 | $89,981 | $107,848 | $125,715 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $72,654 | $90,334 | $108,035 | $125,715 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $76,086 | $93,974 | $111,842 | $129,730 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $82,493 | $102,440 | $122,387 | $142,334 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $90,064 | $111,966 | $133,848 | $155,750 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $87,610 | $111,883 | $136,157 | $160,430 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $73,715 | $93,059 | $112,382 | $131,726 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,363 | $105,747 | $126,110 | $146,494 |
Software Developers (SOC 15-1252)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $91,915 | $113,776 | $135,658 | $157,518 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $95,888 | $119,642 | $143,395 | $167,149 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $114,275 | $138,237 | $162,198 | $186,160 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $92,789 | $117,083 | $141,398 | $165,693 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $95,202 | $116,896 | $138,590 | $160,285 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $87,776 | $110,344 | $132,891 | $155,459 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $106,787 | $134,202 | $161,637 | $189,051 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,845 | $137,717 | $165,589 | $193,461 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $137,093 | $165,131 | $193,149 | $221,187 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $152,797 | $187,075 | $221,374 | $255,653 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,613 | $143,104 | $174,595 | $206,086 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,086 | $127,462 | $152,838 | $178,214 |
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (SOC 15-1253)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $74,381 | $90,750 | $107,141 | $123,510 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $70,616 | $90,043 | $109,450 | $128,877 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,280 | $94,786 | $117,291 | $139,797 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $74,381 | $91,749 | $109,138 | $126,506 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $70,054 | $88,566 | $107,099 | $125,611 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $59,218 | $79,040 | $98,883 | $118,706 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $70,325 | $94,827 | $119,330 | $143,832 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,323 | $107,349 | $130,354 | $153,379 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $80,579 | $108,472 | $136,344 | $164,237 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,322 | $129,022 | $159,744 | $190,445 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $81,598 | $108,243 | $134,867 | $161,512 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,800 | $105,851 | $125,902 | $145,954 |
Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $77,875 | $98,946 | $120,037 | $141,107 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $77,334 | $101,962 | $126,589 | $151,216 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $88,920 | $112,861 | $136,781 | $160,722 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $76,336 | $97,490 | $118,664 | $139,818 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $75,691 | $99,299 | $122,907 | $146,515 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $70,658 | $93,226 | $115,794 | $138,362 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,584 | $106,995 | $136,406 | $165,818 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $87,256 | $115,835 | $144,414 | $172,994 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $110,386 | $142,438 | $174,512 | $206,565 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $125,486 | $168,917 | $212,326 | $255,757 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $93,912 | $127,026 | $160,118 | $193,232 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,830 | $118,040 | $143,250 | $168,459 |
Electrical Engineers (SOC 17-2071)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $80,995 | $102,939 | $124,883 | $146,827 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $93,205 | $125,403 | $157,602 | $189,800 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $87,818 | $109,616 | $131,435 | $153,234 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $81,411 | $99,715 | $118,040 | $136,344 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $79,435 | $103,771 | $128,086 | $152,422 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $81,182 | $108,035 | $134,909 | $161,762 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $89,794 | $117,645 | $145,475 | $173,326 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $88,358 | $108,930 | $129,522 | $150,093 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $106,038 | $133,973 | $161,886 | $189,821 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $130,686 | $159,890 | $189,072 | $218,275 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,670 | $123,531 | $145,413 | $167,274 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,544 | $111,779 | $133,994 | $156,229 |
Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $72,010 | $92,893 | $113,776 | $134,659 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $77,314 | $97,885 | $118,435 | $139,006 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $86,091 | $104,042 | $121,971 | $139,922 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $74,298 | $91,853 | $109,387 | $126,942 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $78,250 | $96,304 | $114,358 | $132,413 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $86,029 | $109,408 | $132,808 | $156,187 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,618 | $103,168 | $123,739 | $144,290 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $83,200 | $100,256 | $117,333 | $134,389 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $110,510 | $134,493 | $158,454 | $182,437 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $117,998 | $141,835 | $165,693 | $189,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,026 | $108,222 | $128,398 | $148,595 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $91,166 | $112,174 | $133,162 | $154,170 |
Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141)
| Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $75,442 | $87,547 | $99,632 | $111,738 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $74,277 | $85,883 | $97,510 | $109,117 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $84,947 | $103,293 | $121,638 | $139,984 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $75,712 | $86,757 | $97,822 | $108,867 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $74,776 | $87,734 | $100,693 | $113,651 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $75,150 | $87,651 | $100,173 | $112,674 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $103,189 | $121,680 | $140,192 | $158,683 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $92,165 | $105,810 | $119,475 | $133,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $124,218 | $150,426 | $176,654 | $202,862 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $140,650 | $167,669 | $194,688 | $221,707 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $96,782 | $111,509 | $126,235 | $140,962 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $79,851 | $92,165 | $104,458 | $116,771 |
FAQ
What are the four H-1B wage levels?
The Department of Labor sets four prevailing wage levels for each occupation and area: Level I (entry), Level II (qualified), Level III (experienced) and Level IV (fully competent). The level depends on the experience, education and skills the job requires, compared with what is normal for that occupation.
How is the wage level chosen?
DOL guidance says every prevailing wage determination starts at Level I, and moves up when the job's requirements for experience, education, special skills or supervisory duties go beyond the usual for the occupation.
How much is Level II for software developers in the 2026-27 wage year?
In the 2026-27 wage year, the Level II prevailing wage for software developers is $137,717 a year in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area and $187,075 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara. Each area has its own figures.
Related
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Wage Data (2026-27); DOL Prevailing Wage Determination Policy Guidance, November 2009 (archived copy). A dash means DOL labels the occupation "High Wage" in that area: the average is above the top of the wage survey range, so DOL publishes no Level I-IV figures; check the OFLC Wage Search for that job. For a specific job, use the official OFLC Wage Search; this is not legal advice.