Prevailing Wage for Food Batchmakers
Prevailing wage requirements for Food Batchmakers are set by the DOL and vary by experience level and work location. Whether your job title reads Batching Operator, Blender, or Compounder, DOL assigns one of four wage levels based on experience and job complexity. The floor differs significantly by city, so verifying the local rate is essential before accepting a sponsored offer.
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Entry-level workers with limited experience in mixing, blending, or batching operations. Typically follows established procedures under close supervision, with minimal independent judgment. DOL expects little to no prior food manufacturing experience at this level.
Qualified workers with moderate experience running batch or blending equipment with some independence. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Food Batchmakers, reflecting employers who hire candidates familiar with standard production processes but not yet in a lead capacity.
Experienced workers who handle complex formulations, troubleshoot equipment issues, and may informally guide junior colleagues. DOL recognizes broader technical knowledge and reduced supervision at this level, often reflecting several years in a food manufacturing environment.
Fully competent workers in senior or lead roles with deep expertise across batching operations, formulation adjustments, and quality compliance. May oversee production lines or train others. DOL reserves this level for those exercising significant independent judgment.
Prevailing Wage for Food Batchmakers 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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Know which level your food plant files
Food and beverage manufacturers frequently file at Level 2 for experienced Blenders and Dosier Operators, even when posting internally as senior roles. Confirm the LCA wage level matches your actual duties before signing, since the title alone does not determine the floor.
Watch how production bonuses are counted
Some food manufacturing employers structure pay with production incentives or shift differentials that DOL excludes from the prevailing wage calculation. Confirm your base hourly rate clears the applicable level floor independently, without relying on variable bonuses to reach compliance.
Compare metro rates before choosing a plant location
Wage floors for Batching Operators vary sharply by city. Midwestern food-production hubs like Cedar Rapids and Battle Creek post significantly higher level wages than Puerto Rico metros, so the same sponsored role can carry very different compliance floors depending on the worksite listed on the LCA.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with Food Batchmaker history
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored workers in food manufacturing roles, so you can focus on companies that have already navigated the LCA process for Batching Operators and Compounders rather than approaching employers new to sponsorship.
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Find Jobs for Food BatchmakersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-3092.00 alongside Food Batchmakers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Batching Operator Prevailing Wage
Batching Operator Prevailing Wage
Batching Operator positions fall under SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). 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.
Blender Prevailing Wage
Blender Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Blender for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Brewing Technician Prevailing Wage
Brewing Technician Prevailing Wage
Brewing Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). 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.
Compounder Prevailing Wage
Compounder Prevailing Wage
Compounder positions fall under SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). 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.
Dosier Operator Prevailing Wage
Dosier Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Dosier Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Dough Scaler Prevailing Wage
Dough Scaler Prevailing Wage
Dough Scaler is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). 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.
Mix Technician Prevailing Wage
Mix Technician Prevailing Wage
Mix Technician positions fall under SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). 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.
Mixer Prevailing Wage
Mixer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Mixer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Mixer Operator Prevailing Wage
Mixer Operator Prevailing Wage
Mixer Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). 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.
Syrup Maker Prevailing Wage
Syrup Maker Prevailing Wage
Syrup Maker positions fall under SOC 51-3092.00 (Food Batchmakers). 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 Food Batchmakers?
DOL derives prevailing wages for Food Batchmakers from Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These surveys collect wage data by occupation and geographic area, which OFLC then uses to calculate four wage levels. Employers filing a Labor Condition Application must pay at least the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
DOL's four levels reflect increasing experience and job complexity. Level 1 covers entry-level workers under close supervision. Level 2 applies to qualified workers with some independent operation of batching or blending equipment. Level 3 reflects experienced workers with broader technical scope. Level 4 covers senior or lead workers exercising significant judgment. Your level should match the actual duties and supervision described in the job offer, not just the title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role differ so much by city?
OFLC calculates wages using regional BLS survey data, so local labor market conditions drive the floor. Dense food manufacturing markets in the Midwest often show higher Level 1 and Level 2 wages than smaller metros. DOL requires the employer to use the wage for the specific worksite listed on the LCA, so a plant location change mid-process can shift the applicable floor entirely.
What happens if a job offer for a sponsored position falls below the prevailing wage?
An employer cannot certify a Labor Condition Application if the offered wage is below the DOL prevailing wage floor for that level and location. USCIS will not approve an H-1B petition without a certified LCA. For PERM-based green card cases, OFLC also requires the offered wage to meet or exceed the prevailing wage. An offer below the floor must be renegotiated before the sponsorship process can proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific Food Batchmakers location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current DOL wage for SOC 51-3092 in your target metro area. Select the occupation, enter the worksite location, and choose the applicable wage level. You can also cross-reference with the O*NET occupation profile for job zone and duties context. Migrate Mate lists employers with active sponsorship history for food manufacturing roles, which can help you identify companies already familiar with prevailing wage requirements for this occupation.
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