U.S. Prevailing Wages by Occupation
Every U.S. visa-sponsored job carries a federal wage floor set by the Department of Labor. The floor varies by occupation, by metropolitan area, and by the level of the role. This page collects the prevailing wage schedule for every occupation we cover, so you can compare what H-1B, E-3, and PERM employers must offer at each level.
848 Occupations Covered
One page per SOC code with national medians and full metro detail.
Wages in 395 U.S. Metros
Look up any U.S. address to see which OES wage area applies.
Four Wage Levels
Entry, Qualified, Experienced, and Fully Competent for every occupation.
How the Four Wage Levels Work
DOL publishes a four-tier prevailing wage schedule for every SOC occupation. The level employers file at depends on the duties, supervision, and judgement the role requires, not on years of experience alone.
Routine work performed under close supervision. Used for new hires whose duties follow established procedures and whose decisions get reviewed before they take effect.
Independent contributors operating within defined processes. Most H-1B and PERM filings sit here because the role requires judgement on common tasks but not yet specialist-level autonomy.
Specialists who exercise judgement on complex problems and direct the work of others. Roles typically require deep domain knowledge and lead small initiatives end to end.
Senior professionals who set technical direction and own outcomes across teams. Reserved for roles with broad responsibility, significant autonomy, and a track record of high-impact work.
Browse Prevailing Wages by Occupation
Roles are grouped by SOC major group, the federal occupational classification DOL uses for every prevailing wage filing.
Computer & Math
Engineering
Healthcare Practitioners
Business & Finance
Management
Science & Research
Education
Legal
Arts, Design & Media
Community & Social Services
Sales
Administrative Support
Healthcare Support
Protective Service
Food Service
Building & Grounds
Personal Care
Farming & Forestry
Construction
Installation & Repair
Production
Transportation
Highest-Paying Prevailing Wages
Ranked by national median Level 2 wage. Local metro wages can land higher or lower than the national figure.
- 1Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricSOC 29-1241.00 · Level 2 median$203,143$97.66/hr
- 2Nurse AnesthetistsSOC 29-1151.00 · Level 2 median$192,982$92.78/hr
- 3Dentists, All Other SpecialistsSOC 29-1029.00 · Level 2 median$183,706$88.32/hr
- 4General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSOC 29-1216.00 · Level 2 median$179,618$86.35/hr
- 5Pediatricians, GeneralSOC 29-1221.00 · Level 2 median$174,231$83.77/hr
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Search visa-sponsored jobsU.S. Prevailing Wages: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prevailing wage and which roles have to pay it?
A prevailing wage is the minimum wage DOL allows for a foreign worker in a given occupation and location. Every employer filing an H-1B, E-3, H-1B1, H-2B, or PERM petition must offer at or above this floor. OFLC publishes the figures in its wage library and updates them each year using federal employer survey data.
Where does DOL get prevailing wage data and how often does it update?
DOL anchors the prevailing wage to the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics collects from roughly 200,000 U.S. employers each year. OFLC publishes refreshed figures each July through the OFLC Wage Search. The wage tied to a Labor Condition Application is locked at filing, regardless of later updates.
How is the wage level determined for my role?
Level depends on the duties, supervision, and judgment the role requires, not on years of experience alone. DOL provides a worksheet that scores the position against the four-tier system based on education, training, complexity, and autonomy. The level on the Labor Condition Application has to match the duties described in the job offer.
Does the prevailing wage apply to OPT, CPT, and TN visas?
OPT and CPT roles are not subject to the prevailing wage because they fall under student work authorization, not employer-sponsored status. TN visas under USMCA do not require a Labor Condition Application either. Prevailing wage rules attach to H-1B, E-3, H-1B1, H-2B, and PERM filings, where DOL certification is part of the process.
Why does the prevailing wage vary so much between cities?
DOL publishes a separate wage floor for every metropolitan area because the underlying survey collects compensation at the local level. High-density technology and finance markets show higher medians. Smaller or lower-cost markets sit well below them. The location on the Labor Condition Application controls which metro applies, even if the company is headquartered elsewhere.
What happens if a job offer is below the prevailing wage?
An employer cannot certify the Labor Condition Application until the offer meets or exceeds the floor. USCIS denies H-1B petitions filed on top of an uncertified LCA. DOL audits can also trigger back-pay obligations and debarment from future filings. If an offer falls short, the employer has to raise it before submitting paperwork.
See which U.S. employers are hiring at or above the prevailing wage right now.
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