Prevailing Wage for Calibration Technologists and Technicians
The prevailing wage for Calibration Technologists and Technicians is set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data and applies to every H-1B, E-3, and PERM green card filing. DOL assigns four experience levels, each with a different wage floor, and the required minimum shifts significantly depending on the worksite city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level technicians performing calibration tasks under direct supervision, typically with limited field experience and a two-year technical degree or equivalent training. Filings at this level are appropriate when the role involves routine procedures with minimal independent judgment.
Level 2 applies to qualified technicians who work with moderate supervision and handle a range of calibration instruments and measurement standards independently. This is the most common filing level for Calibration Technologists and Technicians, reflecting the typical mid-career professional placed into sponsored roles.
Level 3 covers experienced technicians who apply advanced measurement science knowledge, adapt procedures for non-standard equipment, and may provide guidance to junior staff. Employers filing at this level typically require several years of hands-on calibration experience across multiple instrument classes.
Level 4 designates fully competent technicians operating at the top of the occupation, often leading calibration programs, developing procedures, or managing measurement standards for an entire facility. Roles requiring decision-making authority over calibration systems or metrology lab direction fall here.
Prevailing Wage for Calibration Technologists and Technicians 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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Confirm your instrument scope matches your level
Calibration roles covering a narrow instrument class, such as only dimensional gauging or only electrical test equipment, typically support a Level 1 or Level 2 filing. Roles spanning multiple measurement disciplines, including thermal, pressure, and electrical, are stronger evidence for Level 3 or higher.
Watch for worksite mismatches on the LCA
Calibration technicians are frequently assigned to client sites, manufacturing floors, or remote facilities rather than the employer's main office. The prevailing wage on the LCA must reflect the actual worksite location, not headquarters, which can substantially change the wage floor.
Check sponsorship history on Migrate Mate before applying
Defense contractors, aerospace manufacturers, and metrology labs dominate H-1B filings for this occupation. Migrate Mate shows which specific employers have sponsored Calibration Technologists and Technicians before, so you can target companies with a real track record rather than guessing.
Flag title aliasing before your employer files
Employers sometimes file calibration roles under broader engineering technician or quality technician titles, which carry different SOC codes and different prevailing wage floors. Confirm your LCA references SOC 17-3028 so the correct wage floor applies to your petition.
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Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 17-3028.00 alongside Calibration Technologists and Technicians, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Calibration Coordinator Prevailing Wage
Calibration Coordinator Prevailing Wage
Calibration Coordinator positions fall under SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). 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.
Calibration Engineer Prevailing Wage
Calibration Engineer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Calibration Engineer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Calibration Specialist Prevailing Wage
Calibration Specialist Prevailing Wage
Calibration Specialist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). 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.
Calibration Technician Prevailing Wage
Calibration Technician Prevailing Wage
Calibration Technician positions fall under SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). 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.
Calibration Technologist Prevailing Wage
Calibration Technologist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Calibration Technologist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Certified Calibration Technician Prevailing Wage
Certified Calibration Technician Prevailing Wage
Certified Calibration Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). 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.
Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech) Prevailing Wage
Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech) Prevailing Wage
Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech) positions fall under SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). 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.
Electromechanical Equipment Tester Prevailing Wage
Electromechanical Equipment Tester Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Electromechanical Equipment Tester for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Electronic Instrument Testing Technician Prevailing Wage
Electronic Instrument Testing Technician Prevailing Wage
Electronic Instrument Testing Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). 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.
Electronics Calibration Technician Prevailing Wage
Electronics Calibration Technician Prevailing Wage
Electronics Calibration Technician positions fall under SOC 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians). 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the DOL set the prevailing wage for Calibration Technologists and Technicians?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish wage floors for SOC 17-3028. The OFLC assigns wages at four experience levels, from entry to fully competent, based on percentile thresholds in the survey. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that they will pay at least the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite area.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect increasing experience and autonomy. Level 1 is entry-level work under close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified independent work, which covers most sponsored calibration roles. Level 3 is for experienced technicians who adapt procedures and may mentor others. Level 4 applies to fully competent professionals leading programs or labs. Your level should match the actual job duties and supervision structure described in the LCA, not just your years of experience.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same calibration role vary so much by city?
DOL conducts regional wage surveys through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and local labor markets produce very different results for the same occupation. The OFLC uses the worksite address listed on the LCA to assign the applicable metro wage, not the employer's headquarters. Cities with dense aerospace, defense, or manufacturing industries show higher wage concentration, which pushes regional medians up. Low-cost metros with fewer high-precision employers show significantly lower floors for identical job duties.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot lawfully certify an LCA if the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite. If the offer is below the floor, USCIS will not approve the H-1B or E-3 petition, and a PERM green card application would also be rejected. The employer must either increase the salary to meet the floor, reclassify the role to a lower level if the duties genuinely support it, or wait until compensation is adjusted before filing.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a calibration technician role in a specific U.S. city?
The OFLC Wage Search tool allows you to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 17-3028 by metropolitan area or county. Select the correct wage year, enter the occupation code, and choose the worksite location to see all four level wages. For sponsored roles already on the market, Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship history for this occupation, filtered by location, so you can compare posted salaries against the applicable floor before applying.
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