Prevailing Wage for Helpers--Electricians
The prevailing wage for Helpers--Electricians (SOC 47-3013) is set by the DOL and defines the minimum a sponsored worker must be paid, whether the role is titled Electrical Helper, Electrical Apprentice, or E and I Apprentice. DOL publishes four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts considerably depending on the worksite city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level electrical helpers with limited hands-on experience, typically under one to two years. Work is closely supervised, confined to basic tasks like supplying materials, holding tools, and cleaning work areas under direct electrician oversight.
Level 2 applies to qualified helpers with some independent task capability and one to three years of experience. This is the most common filing level for Helpers--Electricians, as employers typically require a baseline of practical site familiarity before sponsoring.
Level 3 is for experienced helpers who handle more complex support duties with minimal supervision. Workers at this level often coordinate materials across multiple crews, troubleshoot supply issues, and may informally guide newer helpers on site.
Level 4 reflects fully competent helpers who operate at near-journeyman support capacity. These workers take on lead helper responsibilities, manage tool and material logistics across large projects, and may train entry-level helpers on safety and site procedures.
Prevailing Wage for Helpers--Electricians 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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Confirm your level before the LCA is filed
Employers filing LCAs for electrical apprentice roles sometimes default to Level 1 even when the position requires two or more years of site experience. Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation, and accepting a Level 1 offer means accepting a materially lower wage floor.
Watch how signing bonuses are counted
Some electrical contractors offer front-loaded signing bonuses to make a below-floor base salary appear compliant. DOL prevailing wage compliance is tested against the base annual wage, not total compensation, so a bonus does not substitute for meeting the floor in recurring pay.
Check wage gaps between metros before accepting
The prevailing wage floor for this occupation varies dramatically by location. Seattle and San Francisco post the highest floors, while Puerto Rico metros post significantly lower ones. If your offer is site-specific, confirm the LCA lists your actual worksite city, not the employer's headquarters.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsors
Migrate Mate lists employers with documented H-1B and green card sponsorship history for electrical and construction support roles, so you can see which contractors have actually sponsored Electrical Apprentice or Electrical Helper positions before applying.
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Find Jobs for Helpers--ElectriciansPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-3013.00 alongside Helpers--Electricians, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Apprentice positions fall under SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). 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.
E and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice) Prevailing Wage
E and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a E and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice) Prevailing Wage
E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice) Prevailing Wage
E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). 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.
Electrical Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Electrical Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Electrical Apprentice positions fall under SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). 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.
Electrical Helper Prevailing Wage
Electrical Helper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Electrical Helper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Electrician Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Electrician Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Electrician Apprentice is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). 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.
Electrician Helper Prevailing Wage
Electrician Helper Prevailing Wage
Electrician Helper positions fall under SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). 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.
Electrician's Helper Prevailing Wage
Electrician's Helper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Electrician's Helper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Inside Wireman Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Inside Wireman Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Inside Wireman Apprentice is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). 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.
Wireman Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Wireman Apprentice Prevailing Wage
Wireman Apprentice positions fall under SOC 47-3013.00 (Helpers--Electricians). 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 Helpers--Electricians?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Helpers--Electricians using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. For PERM and H-1B filings, employers request a wage determination through OFLC. The resulting figure reflects what similarly employed workers in the same occupation and location actually earn, divided into four experience levels.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
DOL assigns wage levels based on experience, supervision, and task complexity. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision. Level 2 is a qualified worker with some independent capability and is the most common level filed for this occupation. Level 3 is experienced with minimal supervision. Level 4 is fully competent with lead responsibilities. Your level should reflect the actual duties in the job offer, not the title alone.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
DOL prevailing wages are derived from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so they reflect local labor market conditions rather than a single national rate. The LCA rule requires employers to list the actual worksite location, meaning the prevailing wage is tied to where you physically work. High-demand metros with dense construction activity, like Seattle and San Francisco, produce significantly higher floors than lower-activity regions.
What happens if a sponsored job offer is below the prevailing wage?
If the offered wage falls below the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite location and wage level, the LCA cannot be certified by OFLC, and USCIS will not approve the visa petition. Employers are legally required to pay at least the prevailing wage for the duration of the sponsored employment. An offer below the floor is not fixable with bonuses or equity; the base wage must meet or exceed the applicable level.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
You can look up the current prevailing wage for Helpers--Electricians at any covered metro area using the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you filter by SOC code 47-3013 and location. Cross-reference results with the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data for your metro. Migrate Mate also lets you filter sponsored job listings by location and role so you can compare posted salaries against the prevailing wage floor before applying.
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