Prevailing Wage for Software Developers
Prevailing wage for software developers, whether your offer letter reads Application Developer, Software Architect, or DevOps Engineer, is set by the DOL across four experience-based levels, from entry-level through fully independent. The floor shifts considerably by city and metro area, so a Level I wage in Austin looks very different from the same level in San Francisco.
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Level 1 covers entry-level Software Developers with limited experience, typically recent graduates or workers new to the occupation. DOL expects minimal independent judgment, close supervision, and work on well-defined tasks within a structured team environment.
Level 2 applies to qualified Software Developers with some experience who work with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Software Developers on H-1B and E-3 petitions, covering professionals who handle standard development tasks with growing independence.
Level 3 covers experienced Software Developers who exercise significant independent judgment, guide junior colleagues, and take ownership of complex technical problems. DOL expects demonstrated expertise across the occupation and the ability to resolve non-routine issues without close oversight.
Level 4 applies to fully competent Software Developers in senior or lead roles with broad authority, specialized expertise, and responsibility for design decisions, architecture, or team direction. These workers typically set technical standards and operate with minimal supervision across high-complexity projects.
Prevailing Wage for Software Developers 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 Software Developers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for staff augmentation misclassification
Software Developers placed at client sites through consulting firms or staffing vendors are often filed at Level 1 wages despite performing senior-level work. Confirm the LCA wage level matches the complexity of the actual client engagement, not the vendor's baseline.
Exclude equity and bonuses from your floor check
RSUs, signing bonuses, and performance bonuses do not count toward DOL prevailing wage compliance for Software Developers. Verify your guaranteed base salary alone clears the floor for your level and worksite metro before evaluating the full compensation package.
Benchmark against your actual worksite metro
San Jose Level 1 wages for Software Developers far exceed the national median, while metros like Hattiesburg run well below it. If your employer files the LCA for a lower-cost worksite while you operate out of a high-cost metro, the listed city controls your legal floor.
Search Migrate Mate for Software Developer sponsor patterns
FAANG-tier employers file Software Developer petitions at Levels 3 and 4 far more often than early-stage startups, which cluster at Level 1. Migrate Mate shows historical sponsorship counts by employer so you can target companies whose filing history aligns with your seniority.
Jobs for Software Developers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Software DevelopersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 15-1252.00 alongside Software Developers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Application Developer Prevailing Wage
Application Developer Prevailing Wage
Application Developer positions fall under SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). 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.
Application Integration Engineer Prevailing Wage
Application Integration Engineer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Application Integration Engineer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Developer Prevailing Wage
Developer Prevailing Wage
Developer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). 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.
DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer) Prevailing Wage
DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer) Prevailing Wage
DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer) positions fall under SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). 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.
Infrastructure Engineer Prevailing Wage
Infrastructure Engineer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Infrastructure Engineer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Software Architect Prevailing Wage
Software Architect Prevailing Wage
Software Architect is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). 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.
Software Development Engineer Prevailing Wage
Software Development Engineer Prevailing Wage
Software Development Engineer positions fall under SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). 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.
Software Engineer Prevailing Wage
Software Engineer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Software Engineer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Systems Engineer Prevailing Wage
Systems Engineer Prevailing Wage
Systems Engineer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers). 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 Software Developers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan areas. For Software Developers under SOC code 15-1252, the agency calculates wage percentiles for each area and assigns them to four experience levels. Employers filing an LCA through the OFLC must pay at least the prevailing wage for the level they certify on the application.
What do the four wage levels mean, and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL defines Level 1 as entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 as qualified with moderate supervision, Level 3 as experienced with significant independent judgment, and Level 4 as fully competent in a senior or lead capacity. The level on your LCA should reflect your actual job duties and supervisory scope. If the level listed seems inconsistent with your role description, it is worth discussing with your employer before the petition is filed.
Why does the prevailing wage for Software Developers vary so much by city?
Wages are drawn from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metro area produces its own data based on local employer pay. Dense tech markets with high employer competition drive wages higher, while smaller metros with fewer competing employers produce lower figures. Because the LCA must list the actual worksite location, the prevailing wage floor follows the worker, not the company's home city.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA at a wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the applicable level and location. If the offer falls short, OFLC will not certify the LCA, which blocks the H-1B or E-3 petition from proceeding. In practice, employers either adjust the offered salary to meet the floor, refile at a lower wage level if the duties genuinely support it, or withdraw the sponsorship. Accepting a salary below the LCA-certified wage after filing is also a compliance violation.
How do I find and verify the Software Developers prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
The OFLC Foreign Labor Application Gateway publishes prevailing wage data by occupation and metro area. Search for SOC code 15-1252 alongside the metropolitan statistical area that matches your worksite to see the current four-level wage table. Migrate Mate can help you identify Software Developer roles from employers with a history of sponsoring the position, so you can cross-reference posted salaries against the DOL floor for your target city before applying.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Software Developers right now.
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