Prevailing Wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
The prevailing wage for an HVAC Installation Helper under SOC 49-9098 sets the minimum DOL-compliant salary an employer must offer on a sponsored visa petition. Whether your title reads HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper) or HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper), DOL assigns four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts significantly depending on the worksite city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level HVAC helpers with limited hands-on experience, typically performing closely supervised tasks such as fetching tools, cleaning work areas, and holding materials for senior technicians. No prior trade experience is generally required at this stage.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation. Workers at this stage handle parts replacement and routine maintenance tasks with moderate supervision, usually bringing one to three years of practical experience assisting installation or repair crews.
Level 3 applies to experienced HVAC helpers who work with minimal supervision, assist across a wider range of repair and maintenance assignments, and may informally guide newer helpers on site. Several years of consistent trade-support experience typically defines this tier.
Level 4 reflects a fully competent helper who operates independently, coordinates material and tool logistics across complex job sites, and may take on a lead-helper role. Employers filing at this level generally require demonstrated tenure and broad cross-trade exposure.
Prevailing Wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 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 HVAC Installation Helper and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your worksite city before accepting an offer
For HVAC helpers, the prevailing wage gap between a high-paying metro like Columbus, IN or Seattle, WA and the lowest-paying areas can exceed double. Confirm the LCA lists your actual physical worksite, not the employer's headquarters.
Watch how signing bonuses are counted in total comp
Some HVAC installation helper offers bundle a one-time relocation or signing bonus into the headline figure. DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against base wages only, so a bonus-padded offer may fall short of the required floor once base pay is isolated.
Expect Level 2 filings even for experienced helpers
Employers frequently file HVAC helper petitions at Level 2 regardless of a worker's actual experience, because DOL's Level 2 definition covers the broadest range of routine maintenance and parts-replacement duties that define this occupation day to day.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with helper sponsorship history
HVAC helper sponsorship is concentrated in a narrow set of employers. Migrate Mate shows which companies have previously sponsored this occupation, helping you focus applications on employers who have already navigated the LCA and visa process for this role.
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Find Jobs for HVAC Installation HelperPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 49-9098.00 alongside Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper) positions fall under SOC 49-9098.00 (Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 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.
HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9098.00 (Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Maintenance Aide Prevailing Wage
Maintenance Aide Prevailing Wage
Maintenance Aide is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9098.00 (Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 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.
Maintenance Helper Prevailing Wage
Maintenance Helper Prevailing Wage
Maintenance Helper positions fall under SOC 49-9098.00 (Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 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.
Mechanic Helper Prevailing Wage
Mechanic Helper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Mechanic Helper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9098.00 (Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Mechanic Repair Helper Prevailing Wage
Mechanic Repair Helper Prevailing Wage
Mechanic Repair Helper is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9098.00 (Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 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.
Mechanic's Assistant Prevailing Wage
Mechanic's Assistant Prevailing Wage
Mechanic's Assistant positions fall under SOC 49-9098.00 (Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 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.
Technician's Helper Prevailing Wage
Technician's Helper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Technician's Helper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9098.00 (Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for an HVAC installation helper?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from employers across every metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area. For each area, DOL calculates four wage levels tied to experience and skill. The resulting figures are published in the OFLC Wage Search and become the mandatory floor an employer must meet on a certified LCA before sponsoring an HVAC helper.
What do the four wage levels mean, and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry-level helpers with basic supervised duties. Level 2 represents qualified workers handling routine maintenance tasks independently. Level 3 applies to experienced helpers working with minimal oversight. Level 4 is for fully competent workers with lead responsibilities. Your level is determined by the job duties described on the LCA, not your job title alone. Review the employer's LCA filing to confirm which level they certified and whether it matches your actual scope of work.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same HVAC helper role vary so much from city to city?
DOL's prevailing wage is derived from regional OES surveys, which capture local employer pay practices. Labor costs in high-demand metros reflect local cost of living, union concentration, and trade-sector competition. The LCA worksite rule requires the wage to correspond to where the helper physically works, not where the employer is incorporated. This means an HVAC installation helper placed on a job site in Seattle faces a materially higher wage floor than one working in a rural area.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored HVAC helper position?
An LCA certified at a wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite area and experience level will fail USCIS adjudication. The employer must either increase the offered wage to meet or exceed the floor before filing, or risk denial of the H-1B or other sponsored petition. A below-floor offer is not a negotiating signal; it is a compliance defect that must be corrected before any visa petition moves forward. USCIS cross-checks the LCA wage against DOL figures during review.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for an HVAC helper position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you enter SOC code 49-9098 and select the metropolitan or nonmetropolitan area where the job is located. The results show all four wage levels for that area. Cross-check the figure against the employer's certified LCA, which must be posted at the worksite. Migrate Mate can also help you identify employers who have previously sponsored HVAC installation helper roles in specific locations, giving you a baseline for what typical offers look like in that market.
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