Prevailing Wage for Word Processors and Typists
Prevailing wage for Word Processors and Typists (SOC 43-9022) is set by DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data. Whether your title is Clerk Specialist, Office Technician, or Clerk Typist, DOL assigns four experience-based wage levels, and the floor for each shifts significantly depending on the worksite city.
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Entry-level typists and word processors with limited experience performing routine tasks under close supervision. Typically no prior specialized experience is required. DOL expects straightforward assignments with minimal independent judgment and a narrow scope of work.
Qualified professionals with moderate experience handling standard word processing and clerical duties with some independence. Level 2 is the most common filing level for sponsored Word Processors and Typists, reflecting competent but non-senior day-to-day output.
Experienced professionals who handle complex assignments, exercise independent judgment, and may guide junior staff. DOL places workers here when the position requires demonstrated subject-matter expertise and a track record beyond basic clerical competency.
Fully competent senior professionals with broad expertise, often coordinating workflows or serving as a lead resource. DOL reserves Level 4 for roles requiring the highest degree of skill, autonomy, and responsibility within this occupation.
Prevailing Wage for Word Processors and Typists 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 into the wrong SOC
Employers sometimes file LCAs under clerical or administrative assistant SOC codes instead of SOC 43-9022, which can result in a different prevailing wage floor. Confirm that your job offer's LCA lists the Word Processors and Typists SOC before accepting.
Prioritize metro areas with compressed level spreads
In some metros the gap between entry and fully competent wages is narrow, meaning level upgrades yield little. In cities like San Jose, the spread across all four levels is tighter, so negotiating level placement has less leverage than in metros like Chicago or Dallas.
Check Migrate Mate for employers sponsoring this role
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a documented history of sponsoring Word Processors and Typists specifically, so you can focus outreach on companies already familiar with filing for this SOC rather than educating a new sponsor from scratch.
Exclude signing bonuses from your wage compliance check
DOL requires that the prevailing wage be met through regular salary, not one-time payments. Signing bonuses and amortized relocation allowances do not count toward the required annual wage floor for a sponsored Word Processors and Typists position.
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Find Jobs for Word Processors and TypistsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 43-9022.00 alongside Word Processors and Typists, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Clerk Specialist Prevailing Wage
Clerk Specialist Prevailing Wage
Clerk Specialist positions fall under SOC 43-9022.00 (Word Processors and Typists). 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.
Clerk Typist Prevailing Wage
Clerk Typist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Clerk Typist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 43-9022.00 (Word Processors and Typists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Keyboard Specialist Prevailing Wage
Keyboard Specialist Prevailing Wage
Keyboard Specialist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 43-9022.00 (Word Processors and Typists). 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.
Office Technician Prevailing Wage
Office Technician Prevailing Wage
Office Technician positions fall under SOC 43-9022.00 (Word Processors and Typists). 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.
Stenographer Prevailing Wage
Stenographer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Stenographer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 43-9022.00 (Word Processors and Typists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Typist Prevailing Wage
Typist Prevailing Wage
Typist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 43-9022.00 (Word Processors and Typists). 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.
Word Processor Prevailing Wage
Word Processor Prevailing Wage
Word Processor positions fall under SOC 43-9022.00 (Word Processors and Typists). 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 Word Processors and Typists?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 43-9022, OFLC maps those survey wages to four experience levels and updates the figures each time new OES data is released. Employers must certify on the LCA that 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 my offer?
Level 1 covers entry-level work under close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified, independent performance and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced workers handling complex tasks. Level 4 covers senior or lead roles with the broadest scope. Your level should match the actual duties and supervision described in the job offer, not just the title.
Why does the prevailing wage for this role vary so much from city to city?
DOL bases each metro's wage on regional OES survey data, which captures what employers in that labor market actually pay. High-cost markets like San Jose produce higher survey medians than lower-cost regions like Puerto Rico metros. Because the LCA must list the actual worksite, the prevailing wage is tied to where you physically work, not where the employer is headquartered. Dense employer markets push survey averages up.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
USCIS will not approve an H-1B or other sponsored petition if the LCA certifies a wage below the DOL prevailing wage floor. If the offer falls short, the employer must either raise the salary before filing or reclassify the role. Accepting a below-floor offer does not protect the worker; OFLC can pursue back-wage liability against the employer if a violation is found.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location for this role?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up current prevailing wages for SOC 43-9022 by metro area. Select the relevant Standard Occupational Classification code and your worksite location to retrieve the four-level wage figures. You can also review O*NET for occupation details. Migrate Mate filters sponsored job listings by role and location, so you can cross-reference postings from employers with a history of sponsoring this occupation.
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