Prevailing Wage for Material Moving Workers, All Other
Prevailing wage for Material Moving Workers, All Other (SOC 53-7199) is set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. DOL assigns four experience levels, each with a different wage floor, and the minimum varies significantly by work location. International candidates pursuing H-1B or green card sponsorship should confirm their offer clears the local floor before signing.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers performing routine material moving tasks under close supervision with limited independent judgment. Candidates typically have minimal prior experience in the occupation and are still developing familiarity with equipment, safety protocols, and facility-specific workflows.
Level 2 applies to qualified workers with moderate experience who perform standard duties with general supervision. This is the most common filing level for Material Moving Workers, All Other, reflecting the large share of mid-tenure workers in warehouse, distribution, and logistics environments.
Level 3 covers experienced workers who handle complex or varied material moving tasks with minimal supervision. These workers may coordinate with other departments, operate specialized equipment, or apply problem-solving skills that go beyond the standard scope of entry or qualified roles.
Level 4 represents fully competent workers in senior or lead capacities, often responsible for training others, overseeing operational segments, or managing high-complexity logistics tasks. Employers filing at this level should document supervisory or lead responsibilities that distinguish the role from Level 3.
Prevailing Wage for Material Moving Workers, All Other 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 Material Moving Workers, All Other and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Material Moving Workers, All Other
Confirm your level before the LCA is filed
Material moving roles often span a wide wage range between Level 1 and Level 4. If your offer letter describes lead or training responsibilities, confirm the employer is filing at Level 3 or 4, not Level 1, before the LCA is certified by OFLC.
Watch the gap between top and bottom metros
The prevailing wage floor for this occupation varies sharply by city. Seattle and New Orleans post significantly higher L1 floors than markets like McAllen or Green Bay. If your worksite is listed incorrectly on the LCA, the filed wage level may not satisfy DOL requirements for your actual work location.
Exclude bonuses when checking base wage compliance
DOL prevailing wage compliance for material moving workers is measured against base hourly or annual wages, not total compensation. Signing bonuses, attendance incentives, and shift differentials common in warehouse and distribution roles do not count toward satisfying the prevailing wage floor.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with sponsorship history
Employers who have previously sponsored material moving workers are easier to approach with visa questions. Migrate Mate shows which companies have a documented history of sponsoring roles in this occupation, so you can focus your search on employers already familiar with the process.
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Find Jobs for this roleFrequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Material Moving Workers, All Other?
DOL calculates the prevailing wage for Material Moving Workers, All Other using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages are broken into four levels based on experience and skill. Employers filing an LCA for H-1B or PERM sponsorship must offer at least the DOL-determined wage for the applicable level and work location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry positions with close supervision; Level 2 covers qualified workers with standard duties; Level 3 covers experienced workers with greater independence; Level 4 covers senior or lead workers. To identify your level, compare your job duties and supervisory structure to DOL's level definitions. The level the employer selects on the LCA determines the minimum wage they must pay.
Why does the prevailing wage for this occupation differ so much from city to city?
DOL sets wages using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so local labor market conditions drive the numbers. Dense logistics and distribution markets like Seattle or New York have higher wage floors than smaller metros. Critically, the LCA must list the actual worksite location, so the prevailing wage that applies is determined by where you physically work, not where the employer is headquartered.
What happens if a sponsored job offer falls below the prevailing wage?
An LCA cannot be certified by OFLC if the offered wage is below the prevailing wage for the applicable level and location. If USCIS or DOL identifies a shortfall during review, the petition can be denied or the employer may face compliance action. Candidates should verify the offered wage against the DOL floor before the employer submits the LCA.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Material Moving Workers, All Other in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the current prevailing wage by SOC code 53-7199 and work location. Select the relevant area and experience level to see the floor that applies to your offer. Migrate Mate can help you identify employers with a history of sponsoring this occupation, narrowing your search to companies that have navigated this process before.
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