Prevailing Wage for Physical Scientists, All Other
Prevailing wage for Physical Scientists, All Other (SOC 19-2099) is set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data. Four experience-based levels determine the floor an employer must meet when sponsoring H-1B, E-3, or permanent resident status. The applicable floor varies considerably by worksite city.
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Entry-level physical scientists with limited professional experience, typically recent graduates working under close supervision on routine tasks. Employers filing at Level 1 must document that the position requires minimal independent judgment and involves structured, defined assignments.
The most common filing level for physical scientists in sponsored roles. Qualified professionals with some independent responsibility, moderate experience, and a defined specialization. Most mid-career H-1B petitions for this occupation are benchmarked at Level 2.
Experienced physical scientists who exercise independent judgment, may lead project components, and apply advanced knowledge in a recognized specialty. Level 3 typically reflects several years of post-degree professional practice and a track record of substantive contributions.
Senior or principal-level physical scientists in fully competent roles with broad discretion, recognized expertise, and responsibility for directing work or setting technical direction. Level 4 filings are appropriate when the position carries significant independent authority.
Prevailing Wage for Physical Scientists, 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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Confirm your specialty aligns with SOC 19-2099
Physical scientists in specialties like atmospheric science, materials science, or space physics are sometimes filed under narrower SOC codes with different prevailing wages. Verify that your employer's LCA cites SOC 19-2099 and not a mismatched code that understates or bypasses this occupation's floor.
Account for government contractor wage gaps
Federal agencies and national labs employ a high share of physical scientists but often sponsor at Level 1 or Level 2 even for experienced hires, citing structured pay bands. Confirm the LCA wage level matches your actual seniority before signing an offer.
Watch signing bonuses in low-base metro offers
In metros like Indianapolis and McAllen, where the prevailing floor is significantly lower, some employers structure offers with signing bonuses counted toward the wage floor. DOL does not allow one-time bonuses to satisfy the recurring wage requirement; base salary must clear the floor independently.
Use Migrate Mate to find physical science sponsors
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored physical scientists and related research roles, along with sponsorship counts by visa type. This helps you prioritize outreach toward labs, agencies, and research firms with an active H-1B or green card filing history in this occupation.
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Find Jobs for Physical Scientists, All OtherFrequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Physical Scientists, All Other?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through employer surveys. For SOC 19-2099, OFLC calculates four wage levels based on the national and metro-level distributions. Employers sponsoring a physical scientist must submit a Labor Condition Application certifying the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
Level 1 covers entry-level positions under close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified professionals with moderate experience and is the most common filing level for sponsored physical science roles. Level 3 applies to experienced practitioners with meaningful independent responsibility. Level 4 covers fully competent senior roles. The level is determined by the position's duties and supervision structure, not solely by years of experience or degree.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same physical science role vary so much by city?
OFLC sets wages using regional OES survey data, so the floor reflects local employer pay practices rather than a single national rate. The LCA must cite the actual worksite location, meaning a remote worker placed at a client site in San Jose faces a significantly higher floor than one based in Indianapolis. Dense research and defense corridors drive up metro wages where physical scientists are concentrated.
What happens if an employer's offer falls below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify a compliant LCA if the offered salary is below the prevailing wage. USCIS will not approve the H-1B petition without a certified LCA. If a deficiency is discovered after filing, DOL can require back pay and bar the employer from sponsoring workers. Candidates should request the LCA before signing an offer to verify the wage level cited.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for Physical Scientists, All Other in a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 19-2099 at any metro area. Select the occupation code, choose your target worksite city, and review all four wage levels. You can also cross-reference the O*NET occupation profile for context on typical duties. Migrate Mate lets you filter sponsored physical science job listings by location and employer sponsorship history to narrow your search.
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