Prevailing Wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists
Prevailing wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists is set by DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys across hundreds of metro areas. Whether you work as a Computer Scientist, Research Scientist, or Computer Specialist, DOL assigns one of four experience levels to your position, and the wage floor shifts significantly depending on your worksite city.
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Entry-level positions with limited experience, typically requiring a bachelor's or master's degree and no independent research scope. The worker performs routine tasks under close supervision and is still developing foundational skills in computer and information science.
The most common filing level for Computer and Information Research Scientists. Qualified workers apply theoretical knowledge to moderately complex problems with some independence, typically holding a graduate degree and two to five years of relevant research or development experience.
Experienced researchers who work independently on complex projects, often leading components of larger initiatives. Workers at this level typically hold advanced degrees and bring a track record of published work, systems design, or applied research contributions.
Fully competent senior researchers or principal scientists who define research direction, mentor junior staff, and drive innovation at an organizational level. This level reflects deep specialization and recognized expertise in computer and information science.
Prevailing Wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists 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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Watch how government lab employers classify research roles
Federal contractors and national laboratories such as those in Albuquerque and Richmond frequently file Computer and Information Research Scientists positions at Level 3 or 4 due to security-clearance requirements, which pushes the prevailing wage floor substantially higher than commercial tech employer filings for similar titles.
Exclude equity and signing bonuses from your wage comparison
Offers for Computer Scientists at FAANG-adjacent employers often front-load compensation with RSUs and signing bonuses. DOL prevailing wage compliance counts only base salary, so a generous total-comp package can still fail the floor if the cash component is low.
Flag worksite city gaps between research campus and legal entity
Research scientists embedded at a university partner site or satellite lab must have the LCA reflect that worksite location, not the employer's headquarters city. Seattle and San Jose wages are among the highest for this occupation, so a mismatch often understates the required floor.
Use Migrate Mate to see which employers sponsor research scientists
Migrate Mate shows historical visa sponsorship counts by employer, so you can identify which organizations have actually sponsored Computer and Information Research Scientists roles under H-1B or green card before you apply, filtering by location and salary range from the posting.
Jobs for Computer and Information Research Scientists are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 15-1221.00 alongside Computer and Information Research Scientists, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Computer Scientist Prevailing Wage
Computer Scientist Prevailing Wage
Computer Scientist positions fall under SOC 15-1221.00 (Computer and Information Research Scientists). 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.
Computer Specialist Prevailing Wage
Computer Specialist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Computer Specialist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 15-1221.00 (Computer and Information Research Scientists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Control System Computer Scientist Prevailing Wage
Control System Computer Scientist Prevailing Wage
Control System Computer Scientist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 15-1221.00 (Computer and Information Research Scientists). 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.
Research Scientist Prevailing Wage
Research Scientist Prevailing Wage
Research Scientist positions fall under SOC 15-1221.00 (Computer and Information Research Scientists). 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.
Scientific Programmer Analyst Prevailing Wage
Scientific Programmer Analyst Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Scientific Programmer Analyst for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 15-1221.00 (Computer and Information Research Scientists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate median wages for SOC 15-1221 in each metropolitan area. OFLC publishes these figures annually in the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center. The wage is tied to the worksite location listed on the Labor Condition Application, not the employer's headquarters.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL assigns Level 1 through Level 4 based on experience, supervision, and job complexity. Level 1 is entry with close oversight; Level 2 applies to workers with moderate independence and a few years of relevant experience; Level 3 covers experienced researchers working autonomously; Level 4 reflects senior or principal scientists. Your employer selects the level on the LCA, and USCIS reviews whether the selection is consistent with the job duties described.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Computer Scientist role vary so much by city?
OFLC calculates wages separately for each metropolitan statistical area using regional Bureau of Labor Statistics survey data, which captures local employer pay practices and labor-market concentration. Dense research and technology markets like Seattle and San Jose show wages far above the national median, while metros with fewer research employers report lower floors. The LCA must reflect the actual worksite city, so remote or satellite arrangements require careful location classification.
What happens if a job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot file a certified LCA unless the offered wage meets or exceeds the DOL prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite. If the offer falls short, OFLC will not certify the LCA, which blocks the H-1B or PERM process entirely. For existing sponsored workers, paying below the certified wage on the LCA exposes the employer to back-wage liability and DOL audit risk.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 15-1221 by metropolitan area and wage level. Select the most recent survey year and the metro that matches your worksite address. O*NET also provides occupational context for SOC 15-1221 that can help confirm the role classification. Migrate Mate lets you filter sponsored job postings for this occupation by location and salary range, helping you quickly see whether active offers in your target market align with the prevailing wage floor.
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