Prevailing Wage for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
The prevailing wage for Fire Battalion Chief roles, including Fire Captain and Fire Lieutenant positions, is set by DOL at four experience levels. Whether you hold a Fire Marshal credential or serve as an Engine Boss, the wage floor you must clear for H-1B, E-3, or green card sponsorship shifts significantly depending on the city where you work.
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Entry-level supervisors with limited independent experience, typically new to a supervisory role and working under close direction. DOL assigns Level 1 to candidates still developing the judgment and leadership skills the occupation requires.
Qualified supervisors with solid field experience and the ability to work independently. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Fire Battalion Chief and Fire Captain roles, reflecting a mid-career professional meeting full job requirements without close oversight.
Experienced supervisors who handle complex situations and may informally mentor others. Level 3 applies when a candidate brings specialized knowledge, multi-unit command experience, or a track record of independent decision-making in demanding operational environments.
Fully competent supervisors at the top of the occupation, exercising broad authority over multiple units or an entire division. Level 4 reflects Fire Chief or senior Fire Marshal scope, where strategic planning and policy responsibility define the role.
Prevailing Wage for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers 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 Fire Battalion Chief and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for SOC mismatches on Fire Captain filings
Fire Captain and Fire Lieutenant titles sometimes get filed under the broader firefighters SOC rather than SOC 33-1021, which carries a different wage floor. Confirm the petition cites the supervisory SOC so the LCA wage level reflects actual supervisory duties.
Factor out overtime when assessing the offer
Fire Battalion Chief compensation often includes substantial overtime pay, which does not count toward prevailing wage compliance. Base salary alone must clear the DOL floor at the applicable level; total comp figures including overtime can obscure a shortfall.
Check California metros against your specific worksite
The gap between California metros and lower-paying Southern markets is especially wide for this occupation. An LCA lists the actual worksite city, so a position based in a satellite station must use that station's metro wage, not headquarters.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with supervisory sponsorship history
Not many employers sponsor Fire Battalion Chief or Fire Captain roles. Migrate Mate shows which companies have a history of sponsoring supervisory fire and prevention positions, helping you focus on employers already familiar with the process.
Jobs for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Fire Battalion ChiefPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 33-1021.00 alongside First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Engine Boss Prevailing Wage
Engine Boss Prevailing Wage
Engine Boss positions fall under SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). 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.
Fire Battalion Chief Prevailing Wage
Fire Battalion Chief Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fire Battalion Chief for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Fire Captain Prevailing Wage
Fire Captain Prevailing Wage
Fire Captain is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). 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.
Fire Chief Prevailing Wage
Fire Chief Prevailing Wage
Fire Chief positions fall under SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). 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.
Fire Lieutenant Prevailing Wage
Fire Lieutenant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fire Lieutenant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Fire Marshal Prevailing Wage
Fire Marshal Prevailing Wage
Fire Marshal is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). 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.
Fire Prevention Chief Prevailing Wage
Fire Prevention Chief Prevailing Wage
Fire Prevention Chief positions fall under SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). 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.
Fire Suppression Captain Prevailing Wage
Fire Suppression Captain Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fire Suppression Captain for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor Prevailing Wage
Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor Prevailing Wage
Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). 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.
Section Forest Fire Warden Prevailing Wage
Section Forest Fire Warden Prevailing Wage
Section Forest Fire Warden positions fall under SOC 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers). 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 DOL set the prevailing wage for Fire Battalion Chief roles?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to set prevailing wages for each occupation by metropolitan area. For SOC 33-1021, the agency calculates four wage levels based on regional pay distributions. Employers must certify on an LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level before USCIS can approve a sponsored petition.
What do the four wage levels mean, and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL assigns Level 1 to entry-level supervisors, Level 2 to qualified professionals working independently, Level 3 to experienced candidates with specialized knowledge, and Level 4 to fully competent senior leaders. The level should reflect your actual job duties and experience, not simply your title. Review the LCA your employer files, which must state the wage level, and compare it against the scope of work described in the offer.
Why does the Fire Battalion Chief prevailing wage vary so much from city to city?
DOL derives wages from regional OES surveys, so each metropolitan area produces its own data set reflecting local labor market conditions. The LCA rule requires employers to list the actual worksite location, and the wage floor for that specific metro applies. Dense markets in coastal California command dramatically higher floors than lower-cost Southern metros, because the underlying survey reflects what employers in each area actually pay.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored Fire Captain position?
DOL will not certify an LCA that does not meet the prevailing wage, and USCIS will not approve an H-1B or employment-based green card petition without a certified LCA. If the offer falls short, the employer must either raise the salary to meet the floor or file at a lower wage level only if the actual duties justify it. Misrepresenting the wage level on an LCA carries legal penalties for the employer.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Fire Battalion Chief role in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 33-1021 in any metropolitan area. Select the occupation code, choose the metropolitan statistical area where you would actually work, and review all four wage levels. You can also consult USCIS guidance on LCA requirements, or use Migrate Mate to identify which employers have historically sponsored supervisory fire roles in particular locations.
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