Prevailing Wage for Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other
Prevailing wage for Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other (SOC 51-4199) is set by the DOL using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Four experience levels establish the floor, and the required minimum shifts considerably depending on which U.S. city appears on the Labor Condition Application.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers performing routine metal or plastic processing tasks under close supervision, typically with no prior specialized experience. Employers file here when the role involves basic production duties and the worker is learning standard shop-floor methods.
Level 2 applies to qualified workers with some independent task execution and working knowledge of standard metal or plastic processing techniques. This is the most common filing level for this occupation, reflecting typical production roles that require demonstrated hands-on competency.
Level 3 covers experienced workers who handle varied or complex assignments with minimal supervision, often training junior staff or troubleshooting equipment. Employers file at this level when the role demands a solid track record across multiple processing methods or materials.
Level 4 is reserved for fully competent workers in senior or lead production roles, exercising independent judgment on non-routine tasks and possibly overseeing a team. Employers filing at this level must document that the position requires the highest degree of occupational expertise.
Prevailing Wage for Metal Workers and Plastic 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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Watch for title aliasing on your LCA
Production roles in metal fabrication or plastics are sometimes filed under more specific SOC codes such as machinists or welders, missing the SOC 51-4199 floor entirely. Confirm the SOC code on your LCA matches the actual scope of your daily tasks before signing.
Account for shift differentials in base wage calculations
Metal and plastics processing employers commonly structure compensation with overtime premiums, tooling bonuses, or shift differentials. DOL counts only the guaranteed base wage toward prevailing wage compliance, so variable pay additions do not help an offer that falls short of the floor.
Compare metros before committing to a worksite
The prevailing wage floor for this occupation varies dramatically by city. Seattle and Davenport post significantly higher floors than Knoxville or San Juan. If your employer has facilities in multiple cities, the LCA worksite address controls which regional floor applies to your offer.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers sponsoring this role
Manufacturing sponsors for SOC 51-4199 are concentrated in specific industrial metros. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored metal and plastics workers, letting you target companies with an active sponsorship track record rather than guessing from job postings alone.
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Find Jobs for this roleFrequently Asked Questions
How does the DOL set the prevailing wage for Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. For SOC 51-4199, OFLC converts those regional wage distributions into four level-specific floors. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that they will pay at least the applicable level wage for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 reflects qualified independent production work and is the most common filing level for this occupation; Level 3 covers experienced workers handling complex or varied tasks; Level 4 applies to senior or lead workers exercising independent judgment. Your level is determined by the actual job duties, supervision requirements, and experience the employer documents in the LCA, not by your title alone.
Why does the prevailing wage for this role differ so much from city to city?
OFLC assigns the prevailing wage based on regional OES surveys tied to the specific worksite address listed on the LCA. Local labor market conditions, concentration of manufacturing employers, and unionization rates all affect regional wage distributions. A role in Seattle carries a substantially higher floor than the same SOC code filed in Knoxville because the underlying survey data reflects each metro's actual wage structure, not a national average.
What happens if an employer offers a wage below the prevailing wage floor for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite and level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS cannot approve the H-1B or other work visa petition. If a certified LCA later shows a wage below the floor, the employer faces back-pay liability and potential debarment from future sponsorship filings under DOL enforcement rules.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up SOC 51-4199 for any metropolitan area. Enter the worksite city or county, select the correct SOC code, and OFLC returns the four level-specific floors for that area. Migrate Mate also shows which employers have sponsored workers in this occupation, giving you a practical cross-check on which companies operate in your target market and have filed LCAs before.
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