Prevailing Wage for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Prevailing wage data for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders (SOC 51-9191) tells sponsored candidates whether a job offer clears the DOL floor before they sign. Whether your title reads Glue Line Operator, Coater Operator, or Gluer Machine Operator, DOL sets four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts significantly from city to city.
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Entry-level workers with limited experience performing routine bonding and adhesive machine tasks under close supervision. DOL places Level 1 workers at the lower end of the wage range, typically in their first years on the production floor with minimal independent judgment.
Qualified workers who handle standard adhesive bonding processes with moderate supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders, reflecting solid hands-on experience across a range of materials and bonding applications without requiring constant oversight.
Experienced operators who work independently, troubleshoot equipment issues, and handle complex bonding assignments across varied materials such as plywood veneer, rubber, or simulated leather. DOL places Level 3 workers above the midpoint wage, reflecting a meaningful track record and reduced need for supervision.
Fully competent lead operators who may train others, set production standards, and manage quality control for bonding operations. Level 4 reflects the highest experience tier, typically involving cross-functional coordination and accountability for output across an entire bonding line or department.
Prevailing Wage for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for this role and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for signing bonuses counted as wages
Employers in manufacturing sometimes amortize one-time signing bonuses into annualized pay to reach the prevailing wage floor. DOL requires that base wages alone meet the floor for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders; one-time payments do not satisfy the LCA wage obligation.
Flag title aliases that land the wrong SOC
Job postings listing titles like Machine Operator or Coater Operator sometimes get filed under a broader production SOC rather than 51-9191, which can result in a lower prevailing wage floor. Verify that the LCA your employer filed references SOC 51-9191 specifically before accepting the offer.
Compare metro wages before accepting a relocation
The gap between the highest and lowest-paying metros for this occupation is substantial. Seattle and Minneapolis floors sit well above Miami and Tampa at every level. If a relocation is part of the offer, confirm the prevailing wage for the actual worksite city, not a nearby metro.
Use Migrate Mate to see which employers sponsor this role
Adhesive bonding and gluing machine roles are concentrated in manufacturing, and not every facility has a history of visa sponsorship. Migrate Mate shows which employers have actually sponsored Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders before, so you can target outreach to companies with a real track record.
Jobs for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-9191.00 alongside Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Coater Operator Prevailing Wage
Coater Operator Prevailing Wage
Coater Operator positions fall under SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Glue Line Operator Prevailing Wage
Glue Line Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Glue Line Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Glue Reel Operator Prevailing Wage
Glue Reel Operator Prevailing Wage
Glue Reel Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Gluer Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Gluer Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Gluer Machine Operator positions fall under SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Gluing Pressman Prevailing Wage
Gluing Pressman Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Gluing Pressman for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Perfect Bind Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Perfect Bind Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Perfect Bind Machine Operator positions fall under SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Sealer Operator Prevailing Wage
Sealer Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Sealer Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Utility Worker Prevailing Wage
Utility Worker Prevailing Wage
Utility Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9191.00 (Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data, collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to calculate four wage levels for SOC 51-9191 in each metropolitan area. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification publishes these figures and updates them annually. Employers sponsoring workers through H-1B or PERM must pay at least the level corresponding to the worker's actual experience and duties.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
DOL's four levels reflect experience and independence on the job. Level 1 covers entry-level workers under close supervision; Level 2 covers qualified workers handling standard tasks; Level 3 covers experienced operators working independently; Level 4 covers fully competent lead workers. Your level is determined by what you actually do in the role, not your job title. Review the duties described in the LCA your employer files to confirm the level matches your background.
Why does the prevailing wage for this occupation vary so much between cities?
DOL calculates wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metro area produces its own figures based on local employer pay data. For LCA purposes, the wage that applies is the one for the area where you will actually work, listed as the worksite on the LCA. Cities with higher costs of living or stronger manufacturing sectors tend to produce higher survey results, which is why Seattle and Minneapolis floors exceed Miami and Tampa floors at every level.
What happens if a sponsored job offer falls below the prevailing wage floor?
An employer cannot certify an LCA at a wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite and level. If an offer is below the floor, OFLC will not certify the LCA, which blocks the H-1B petition or PERM application from moving forward. If an error is caught after certification, DOL's Wage and Hour Division can investigate and require back pay. Workers should confirm the offered salary meets the floor before the LCA is filed, not after.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for this occupation in a specific U.S. city?
The OFLC Wage Search tool lets you look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 51-9191 by metropolitan area. Enter the occupation code and the worksite location to retrieve the four wage levels for that specific area. USCIS also references these figures during H-1B adjudication. For context on which employers have sponsored this role historically, Migrate Mate lets you filter by occupation and location to see companies with actual sponsorship activity.
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