Prevailing Wage for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
The prevailing wage for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers (SOC 49-2098) sets the minimum salary a U.S. employer must offer to support an H-1B, E-3, or green card petition. DOL establishes four experience-based wage levels for Alarm Technicians, Fire Alarm Technicians, and related installer titles, and the floor shifts significantly by city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level installers with limited experience, typically performing routine wiring and equipment installation tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level apply basic knowledge of alarm systems and follow established procedures with minimal independent judgment required.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation. It applies to qualified technicians with moderate experience who handle standard installations, basic programming, and troubleshooting with only general supervision and some independent decision-making on familiar system types.
Level 3 applies to experienced technicians who handle complex installations, system integrations, and non-routine repairs with substantial autonomy. Workers at this level often mentor junior staff and are expected to resolve technical problems that go beyond standard procedures.
Level 4 covers fully competent senior installers or lead technicians who exercise independent judgment across all aspects of the occupation, including advanced programming, system design oversight, code compliance review, and potentially training or directing the work of other alarm technicians.
Prevailing Wage for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers 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 mismatches on alarm installer LCAs
Job titles like Install Technician or Home Security Alarm Installer sometimes get filed under broader electrical or construction SOC codes, bypassing the SOC 49-2098 prevailing wage floor entirely. Confirm your offer letter and LCA both reference the correct SOC before accepting a sponsored position.
Factor in regional licensing when comparing metros
States like California require low-voltage contractor licensing for alarm installers, which tightens the labor supply and pushes prevailing wages higher in metros like San Jose and San Francisco compared to lower-regulation markets in Louisiana or Puerto Rico.
Find employers who have sponsored alarm technicians before
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a documented history of sponsoring Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers, so you can focus your job search on companies already familiar with LCA filings for this specific SOC rather than educating a new sponsor from scratch.
Verify the worksite city, not the employer headquarters
For field-based alarm installers, the LCA wage must reflect the area where you physically work, not where the company is incorporated. A national security integrator headquartered in a low-wage metro cannot file at that city's floor if your daily worksite is in San Jose or Minneapolis.
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Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 49-2098.00 alongside Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Alarm Technician Prevailing Wage
Alarm Technician Prevailing Wage
Alarm Technician positions fall under SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). 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.
Fire Alarm Technician (Fire Alarm Tech) Prevailing Wage
Fire Alarm Technician (Fire Alarm Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fire Alarm Technician (Fire Alarm Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Home Security Alarm Installer Prevailing Wage
Home Security Alarm Installer Prevailing Wage
Home Security Alarm Installer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). 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.
Install Technician Prevailing Wage
Install Technician Prevailing Wage
Install Technician positions fall under SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). 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.
Installation Technician Prevailing Wage
Installation Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Installation Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Installer Prevailing Wage
Installer Prevailing Wage
Installer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). 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.
Security Installation Technician Prevailing Wage
Security Installation Technician Prevailing Wage
Security Installation Technician positions fall under SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). 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.
Security Installer Prevailing Wage
Security Installer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Security Installer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Security Technician (Security Tech) Prevailing Wage
Security Technician (Security Tech) Prevailing Wage
Security Technician (Security Tech) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). 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.
Service Technician Prevailing Wage
Service Technician Prevailing Wage
Service Technician positions fall under SOC 49-2098.00 (Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers). 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across more than 600 geographic areas. For each area, DOL calculates four wage levels based on the distribution of wages reported for SOC 49-2098. Employers must obtain a certified Labor Condition Application from OFLC, which requires offering at least the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL defines the four levels by experience, supervision, and job complexity. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified workers handling standard tasks with general oversight, and it is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 covers experienced technicians working with significant autonomy. Level 4 applies to senior or lead roles requiring fully independent judgment. Your employer selects the level when filing the LCA, and it must accurately reflect your actual duties and experience, not simply the lowest available wage.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same alarm installer role vary so much between cities?
DOL bases each area's prevailing wage on regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which capture local labor market conditions. Markets with strong union density, state licensing requirements, or high employer concentration for alarm and security work report higher median wages, which directly raises the floor. Because the LCA must list the actual worksite address, an employer cannot apply a lower-wage metro's floor to a job physically performed in a higher-wage area. OFLC enforces this worksite rule at the time of LCA certification.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
If the offered salary falls below the applicable prevailing wage, OFLC will not certify the LCA, and without a certified LCA the employer cannot file the H-1B or E-3 petition with USCIS. If an underpayment is discovered after approval, the employer may owe back wages and face debarment from future sponsorships. Accepting a below-floor offer does not shift liability to you, but the petition itself cannot proceed lawfully without a wage-compliant LCA.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you enter SOC 49-2098 and any of the covered metropolitan or nonmetropolitan areas to retrieve the current four-level wage floors. Cross-check with O*NET for occupation-level context. You can also search LCA disclosure data published by OFLC to see what wages employers have actually filed for alarm installer roles in a given metro. Migrate Mate lists employers with a verified history of sponsoring this role, which can help you target companies already active in your target market.
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