Prevailing Wage for Helpers--Production Workers
Prevailing wages for Helpers--Production Workers (SOC 51-9198) are set by DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level Helper through fully competent Material Handler. The floor varies significantly by worksite city, so the same role at a food manufacturer in California can pay far more than an equivalent position in Puerto Rico.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers with no prior production environment experience, performing closely supervised, routine tasks. Workers at this level follow explicit instructions and have minimal independent judgment. Employers typically file here for new hires transitioning into a helper role for the first time.
Level 2 applies to qualified workers with some production floor experience who handle assigned duties with limited supervision. This is the most common filing level for Helpers--Production Workers, reflecting the typical candidate who has completed an initial training period and works reliably without constant oversight.
Level 3 covers experienced workers who perform a broader range of helper tasks, exercise independent judgment on routine issues, and may informally guide newer workers. Employers file at this level when the role requires demonstrated familiarity with multiple production processes or equipment types.
Level 4 applies to fully competent workers who operate with significant autonomy, handle non-routine situations, and may take a lead role coordinating materials or supporting multiple production lines. Employers file here for senior helpers whose scope goes beyond standard task execution.
Prevailing Wage for Helpers--Production 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 Helpers--Production Workers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Confirm your worksite city before accepting
Production helper positions are tied to the physical plant or warehouse address on the LCA, not the company's headquarters. A staffing agency placing you at a Napa, CA facility must file at the Napa prevailing wage, which sits well above the national median at every level.
Watch for staffing agency filing gaps
Many Helpers--Production Workers positions are filled through temp or staffing agencies. These employers sometimes file LCAs at a lower wage level than the actual worksite warrants. Verify the wage level on the certified LCA matches the duties you will perform, not just the agency's standard template.
Avoid title aliasing that shifts your SOC code
Job postings for this role often use titles like Press Helper or Material Handler. If an employer files under a different SOC code, such as a general laborer classification, the prevailing wage floor changes. Confirm the LCA references SOC 51-9198 before signing any offer for a helper or handler role.
Use Migrate Mate to spot active sponsors
Food manufacturing and packaging employers frequently sponsor production helper roles but rarely advertise it prominently. Migrate Mate shows which companies have a documented history of sponsoring Helpers--Production Workers, so you can focus applications on employers already familiar with the LCA process for this occupation.
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Find Jobs for Helpers--Production WorkersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-9198.00 alongside Helpers--Production Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Helper Prevailing Wage
Helper Prevailing Wage
Helper positions fall under SOC 51-9198.00 (Helpers--Production 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.
Material Handler Prevailing Wage
Material Handler Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Material Handler for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9198.00 (Helpers--Production Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Press Helper Prevailing Wage
Press Helper Prevailing Wage
Press Helper is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9198.00 (Helpers--Production 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Helpers--Production Workers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages for each SOC code by metropolitan area. For Helpers--Production Workers (SOC 51-9198), OFLC assigns four wage levels based on the statistical distribution of wages in each region. Employers must pay at least the level that matches the position's actual duties and experience requirements before USCIS or the State Department will approve the sponsored visa.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to my offer?
Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 is qualified with limited supervision, Level 3 is experienced with independent judgment, and Level 4 is fully competent with lead-level scope. To identify your level, compare your actual job duties and required experience to DOL's level definitions. The certified LCA filed by your employer states the level; if the duties described in your offer letter reflect more responsibility than the filed level suggests, the LCA may understate the correct wage floor.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much between cities?
OFLC calculates prevailing wages from regional OES surveys, so wages reflect actual pay in each local labor market. A production helper position in Napa, CA competes with agricultural and wine-industry processing wages, pushing the floor significantly higher than in lower-cost metro areas. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, so the wage floor follows where the work is performed, not where the employer is incorporated or headquartered.
What happens if an employer offers me less than the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA or obtain H-1B or PERM approval unless the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite location and wage level. If the offer falls below the floor, DOL will deny LCA certification and USCIS will not approve the petition. Accepting an offer below the prevailing wage and later having the LCA denied means the visa process cannot proceed. Employers who knowingly underpay sponsored workers also face DOL back-wage liability.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Helpers--Production Workers at a specific U.S. location?
The OFLC Wage Search tool lets you look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 51-9198 by selecting the metropolitan area that matches your worksite. Enter the SOC code and the relevant metro to see all four wage levels. You can also review employer LCA filings in the OFLC disclosure data to see what wage level and amount a specific company has filed for comparable positions. Migrate Mate surfaces which employers have a history of sponsoring this role, giving you a starting point for identifying active filers before you apply.
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