Prevailing Wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Prevailing wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer (SOC 17-2072) is set by the DOL using regional wage surveys that cover roles from Design Engineer to Compatibility Test Engineer and Evaluation Engineer. The floor varies significantly by city and shifts across four experience levels, so checking the correct level and worksite location is the first step before evaluating any sponsored offer.

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Level 1Entry
National median
$78K
$37.73/hr

Entry-level electronics engineers with limited professional experience, typically recent graduates or candidates new to the field. Work is performed under close supervision with well-defined tasks and minimal independent judgment expected. DOL classifies this as the entry tier for sponsored positions.

Level 2Qualified
National median
$95K
$45.61/hr

Engineers with a foundation of hands-on experience who work with some independence on standard assignments. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, reflecting typical mid-career candidates transitioning into full sponsorship roles.

Level 3Experienced
National median
$112K
$53.66/hr

Experienced engineers who regularly handle complex circuit design, systems integration, or specialty testing with minimal supervision. Candidates at this level often hold advanced degrees or have deep domain expertise in a specific subfield such as RF, power electronics, or embedded systems.

Level 4Fully Competent
National median
$128K
$61.59/hr

Senior or lead engineers with full professional competence, recognized technical authority, and responsibility for guiding projects or junior staff. Level 4 filings reflect roles where independent judgment and specialized knowledge define the position, not just task execution.

Prevailing Wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer by OES area

Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.

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$43K/yr$135K/yr

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

1
San Jose, CA
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro
$127K$61.17/hr
2
Lexington Park, MD
Lexington Park, MD metro
$110K$53.12/hr
3
Trenton, NJ
Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro
$110K$52.94/hr
4
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro
$108K$51.82/hr
5
Oxnard, CA
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro
$106K$50.93/hr
6
San Diego, CA
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro
$105K$50.61/hr
7
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro
$104K$50.18/hr
8
Sherman, TX
Sherman-Denison, TX metro
$104K$50.12/hr
9
Washington, DC
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro
$102K$49.12/hr
10
New York, NY
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro
$102K$48.98/hr

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Prevailing Wage Guide for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Flag defense and aerospace worksite distinctions

Electronics engineers placed at government-contractor worksites or defense facilities may have a different prevailing wage jurisdiction than the contracting company's headquarters. The LCA must list the actual worksite location, which can push the wage floor significantly higher in areas like Trenton, NJ.

Exclude RSUs and signing bonuses from the floor

Equity compensation and signing bonuses are not counted toward prevailing wage compliance for H-1B or PERM filings. In high-concentration markets like San Jose, total packages often include large RSU grants that inflate perceived comp well above the required cash floor.

Watch for SOC misclassification on IC design titles

Integrated Circuit Design Engineer roles are sometimes filed under computer hardware or software SOC codes rather than SOC 17-2072, which can mean a different prevailing wage floor entirely. Confirm your offer letter title matches the SOC on the LCA before the petition is filed.

Use Migrate Mate to find sponsored electronics roles

Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Electronics Engineers, Except Computer for H-1B and other visa types, so you can prioritize outreach to companies with a proven filing track record in your target metro before negotiating an offer.

Jobs for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer are hiring across the US. Find yours.

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Prevailing Wage by Reported Job Title

DOL classifies these titles under SOC 17-2072.00 alongside Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.

Compatibility Test Engineer Prevailing Wage

Compatibility Test Engineer positions fall under SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). 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.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Design Engineer Prevailing Wage

When a U.S. employer sponsors a Design Engineer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Electronics Design Engineer Prevailing Wage

Electronics Design Engineer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). 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.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Engineer Prevailing Wage

Engineer positions fall under SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). 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.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Evaluation Engineer Prevailing Wage

When a U.S. employer sponsors a Evaluation Engineer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (IC Design Engineer) Prevailing Wage

Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (IC Design Engineer) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). 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.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Product Engineer Prevailing Wage

Product Engineer positions fall under SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). 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.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Radio Frequency Engineer (RF Engineer) Prevailing Wage

When a U.S. employer sponsors a Radio Frequency Engineer (RF Engineer) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Research and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer) Prevailing Wage

Research and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). 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.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Test Engineer Prevailing Wage

Test Engineer positions fall under SOC 17-2072.00 (Electronics Engineers, Except Computer). 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.

Level 1
Entry
$78K
$37.73/hr
Level 2
Qualified
$95K
$45.61/hr
Level 3
Experienced
$112K
$53.66/hr
Level 4
Fully Competent
$128K
$61.59/hr

Frequently Asked Questions

How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer?

DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across defined geographic areas. For Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, OFLC maps those survey results to SOC 17-2072 and publishes four wage levels annually. Employers filing an LCA for a sponsored position must pay at least the level that matches the offered role's duties and required experience.

What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?

DOL defines Level 1 as entry, Level 2 as qualified, Level 3 as experienced, and Level 4 as fully competent. The level is determined by the actual job duties, supervision requirements, and complexity of the role, not the job title. Review the LCA your employer files with OFLC; it will state the wage level selected. If the duties described match a higher level than what was filed, the prevailing wage floor is understated.

Why does the prevailing wage for the same electronics engineering role vary so much between cities?

OFLC uses regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so the wage floor reflects local labor market conditions for each metropolitan statistical area. Dense employer markets like San Jose and San Francisco drive survey wages sharply higher than less concentrated markets. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, and OFLC assigns the prevailing wage for that specific area, not where the employer is headquartered.

What happens if an offer falls below the prevailing wage for a sponsored electronics engineering position?

An employer cannot file a certified LCA with USCIS if the offered wage is below the applicable prevailing wage floor. If USCIS or DOL later finds the filed wage was insufficient, the employer faces back-wage liability, potential debarment from future sponsorship filings, and denial or revocation of the petition. The sponsored employee's status is also at risk. Confirming the offer clears the correct level and worksite before the LCA is submitted protects both parties.

How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer in a specific U.S. location?

Use the OFLC Wage Search tool and enter SOC code 17-2072 along with the metropolitan area where you will physically work. The result shows the current four-level wage floor for that area. Cross-reference the O*NET profile for SOC 17-2072 to confirm the duties described in your offer align with the occupation. Migrate Mate also lets you filter sponsored listings by role and location, helping you see which employers have active H-1B or green card filing history for electronics engineering positions in your target city.

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