Prevailing Wage for Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other
The DOL prevailing wage for entertainers and performers in this residual SOC 27-2099 category sets the minimum a U.S. employer must pay to sponsor a work visa or green card. DOL publishes four experience-based levels, and the floor shifts considerably by city, so the same role can clear a different threshold depending on where the work is performed.
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Level 1 covers entry-level entertainers and performers with limited professional experience, typically performing under close supervision in defined roles. Workers at this level have minimal autonomy and are still developing the specialized skills expected in professional performance settings.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for entertainers and performers in this category. It applies to qualified workers with demonstrated professional experience who perform with moderate independence, handle a defined range of performance duties, and require only occasional guidance.
Level 3 applies to experienced entertainers and performers who work with substantial autonomy, often mentoring junior talent or taking on lead responsibilities within an ensemble, production, or athletic context. Employers filing at this level expect independent judgment on complex performance tasks.
Level 4 covers fully competent performers and entertainment professionals in senior or specialized roles, typically with a recognized track record, top billing, or lead status. Workers at this level set standards, direct others, or hold primary creative or athletic responsibility for a production or team.
Prevailing Wage for Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other 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.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other
Verify your worksite city before LCA filing
For entertainers and performers on tour or working multiple venues, the LCA must list every worksite city. The prevailing wage applies to each location separately, and a touring schedule can trigger obligations in both high-wage markets like Los Angeles and lower-wage metros simultaneously.
Watch how performance bonuses are counted
Per-show fees, residual payments, and performance bonuses are not always counted toward the prevailing wage floor. Confirm with your employer that the base guaranteed wage, not total projected earnings, meets the DOL floor for your experience level and worksite.
Check sponsorship history for entertainment employers
Entertainment agencies, studios, and sports organizations vary widely in visa sponsorship experience. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored workers in this SOC category, helping you identify which organizations have an established process rather than sponsoring for the first time.
Understand why residual SOC filings often land at Level 2
Because SOC 27-2099 is a catch-all for performers not classified elsewhere, OFLC wage analysts frequently default to Level 2 when the job title lacks a direct SOC match. If your experience justifies Level 3, document your performance credits and professional history explicitly in the LCA supporting materials.
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Find Jobs for this roleFrequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for entertainers and performers in SOC 27-2099?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through regional employer surveys. For SOC 27-2099, those surveys capture wages paid to entertainers and performers not classified in more specific SOC codes. OFLC then publishes the resulting figures by metropolitan area and experience level, updated annually, and employers must certify payment at or above the applicable level on the Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL defines four levels based on experience, supervision, and complexity. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is qualified with moderate independence; Level 3 is experienced with substantial autonomy; Level 4 is fully competent with senior or lead responsibility. Your level is determined by the actual job duties and experience your employer describes in the LCA, not your title. If the listed duties reflect independent professional performance, Level 2 or Level 3 is typically appropriate for this occupation.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same entertainer or performer role vary so much by city?
DOL calculates wages from metropolitan-area OES surveys, so local labor market conditions drive the figures. A dense entertainment market like Los Angeles generates survey data from high-wage employers, pushing the floor up significantly compared to smaller metros. The LCA must list the actual worksite, not the employer's headquarters, so the prevailing wage that applies is tied to where the performance or work physically occurs, not where the company is based.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored entertainer or performer position?
DOL will not certify the LCA if the offered wage is below the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite. Without a certified LCA, USCIS will not approve the H-1B or other work visa petition. Even after approval, if DOL later finds the employer paid below the certified wage, the employer faces back-pay liability and potential debarment from future sponsorships. The prevailing wage floor is a binding legal floor, not a guideline.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for an entertainers and performers role in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you look up wages by SOC code, experience level, and metropolitan area. Enter SOC 27-2099 and select the worksite metro to see current DOL figures for each of the four levels. You can also review recent LCA disclosure data published by OFLC to see what wages employers in that city have previously certified for this occupation. Migrate Mate lists employers with a documented history of sponsoring workers in this category, which can help you target companies already familiar with the filing process.
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