Prevailing Wage for Extraction Workers, All Other
Prevailing wage for Extraction Workers, All Other (SOC 47-5099) is set by DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data. DOL defines four experience levels, each with a different wage floor, and the required minimum shifts considerably depending on the worksite city listed on the Labor Condition Application.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers with limited experience performing routine extraction tasks under close supervision. Workers at this stage typically have minimal specialized training and are still developing familiarity with extraction equipment, site procedures, and safety protocols.
Level 2 applies to qualified workers with moderate experience who perform standard extraction duties with general supervision. This is the most common filing level for Extraction Workers, All Other, reflecting the occupation's typical hiring profile for experienced field workers.
Level 3 covers experienced workers who handle complex extraction assignments with considerable independence. Workers at this level typically have several years of field experience, demonstrate sound technical judgment, and may informally guide junior crew members on site.
Level 4 applies to fully competent senior workers who operate with substantial autonomy, resolve non-routine extraction challenges, and often take a lead role in directing operations or mentoring less experienced colleagues. Employers filing at this level must document senior-scope responsibilities.
Prevailing Wage for Extraction 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 Extraction Workers, All Other and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your worksite city against the LCA
Extraction work is tied to specific well sites, mines, or quarries. The prevailing wage on your Labor Condition Application must match the actual worksite location, not your employer's headquarters city, which can shift the floor significantly between markets like Odessa and Austin.
Watch for bonus pay excluded from the wage floor
In extraction roles, hazard pay, per-diem allowances, and tool reimbursements are often excluded from the prevailing wage calculation. Only guaranteed, recurring cash compensation counts toward meeting the floor under DOL rules for sponsored extraction workers.
Understand how Level 2 filing dominates this occupation
Most extraction employers sponsor at Level 2 because field roles rarely require a four-year degree but do demand demonstrated hands-on experience. If your offer is pegged at Level 1 wages but your duties match qualified-level work, the wage determination may undervalue your position.
Find employers sponsoring extraction roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate shows which companies have historically sponsored Extraction Workers, All Other for H-1B or green card, so you can prioritize outreach to operators in higher-wage basins like Odessa or Billings rather than searching blindly across the sector.
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Find Jobs for Extraction Workers, All OtherFrequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Extraction Workers, All Other?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages by occupation and geographic area. For Extraction Workers, All Other under SOC 47-5099, OFLC assigns wages across four experience levels based on regional employer-reported pay data. Employers must file a Labor Condition Application certifying they will pay at least the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my job offer?
DOL's four levels correspond to increasing experience and responsibility. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is qualified with general supervision; Level 3 is experienced with considerable independence; Level 4 is fully competent with senior or lead scope. OFLC guidance instructs employers to select the level that reflects the actual job duties and required experience, not the worker's total career history. Review your job description carefully against these definitions.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same extraction role differ so much city to city?
Regional wage variation comes from OFLC's use of metropolitan area Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Labor markets in energy-intensive basins like Odessa, TX or Billings, MT reflect higher local demand for extraction workers, pushing surveyed wages up. Lower-activity markets like Austin or Atlanta show softer figures. Because the worksite address on the LCA determines which regional survey applies, moving a job to a different metro can materially change the prevailing wage floor.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored extraction position?
An employer cannot certify a Labor Condition Application if the offered wage falls below the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite area and experience level. USCIS will deny the underlying H-1B or employment-based petition if the LCA is not properly certified at or above the floor. Employers found to have paid below the certified wage can face DOL back-wage liability and debarment from future sponsorship. Workers should document their offered wage against the applicable prevailing wage before accepting a sponsored offer.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for Extraction Workers, All Other at a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 47-5099 at the specific metropolitan area where the job is located. Select the fiscal year, enter the SOC code or occupation name, and choose your worksite area. For context on which employers have sponsored this role and where, Migrate Mate lets you filter by occupation and location to see companies with active visa sponsorship history for extraction workers.
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