62% selection odds for Level 4 vs 15% for Level 1 -- the new wage-weighted system is reshaping who gets H-1B visas in real time.
The first FY2027 H-1B lottery results are confirming what many feared: the wage-weighted selection system massively favors high-salary candidates. Early reports from immigration attorneys and the Reddit community show Level 4 registrations being selected at dramatically higher rates than Level 1. This is not a bug -- it is the intended design of the new system. Here is what the data shows and what it means for your registration.
Quick Answer: The FY2027 wage-weighted lottery gives Level 4 candidates (~$160K+ salary) a 62% chance of selection, while Level 1 candidates (~$60-80K) face only 15% odds. Level 2 sits at 31% and Level 3 at 46%. Early selection reports from March 27, 2026 show this playing out exactly as projected -- Level 4 candidates are reporting "Selected" status within hours of results dropping, while the vast majority of Level 1 registrations remain "Submitted."
| Wage Level | Typical Salary Range | Selection Odds | Estimated Selected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | $160,000+ | 62% | Near-certain for top tech |
| Level 3 | $110,000-$160,000 | 46% | Strong odds, mid-career |
| Level 2 | $85,000-$110,000 | 31% | Coin flip territory |
| Level 1 | $60,000-$85,000 | 15% | Steep uphill battle |
| Company | H-1B Filings | Typical Wage Level |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 55,150 | Level 3-4 (SDE roles) |
| 33,416 | Level 3-4 dominant | |
| Microsoft | 34,626 | Level 3-4 dominant |
| Infosys | 32,840 | Level 1-2 heavy |
| Tata Consultancy | 28,950 | Level 1-2 heavy |
| Cognizant | 26,700 | Level 1-2 heavy |
| Apple | 15,800 | Level 3-4 dominant |
| Meta | 14,900 | Level 4 dominant |
The wage-weighted lottery fundamentally changes who gets H-1B visas. Under the old random system, a $65K Level 1 technology analyst at a consulting firm had the same odds as a $280K Level 4 staff engineer at Google. That is no longer true. USCIS now assigns more lottery entries to higher wage level registrations, creating a tiered probability system that heavily favors experienced, higher-paid professionals.
The early data from FY2027 results on March 27 is stark. Immigration attorneys are reporting that nearly all Level 4 registrations they submitted are showing "Selected" within hours. Level 3 results are coming in strong but mixed. Level 2 is roughly a coin flip. And Level 1 applicants -- who make up a disproportionate share of consulting company registrations -- are overwhelmingly still showing "Submitted" as of this writing.
This has massive implications for the consulting industry. Companies like Infosys, TCS, Cognizant, and Wipro historically filed the majority of their registrations at Level 1 and Level 2. Under the weighted system, their selection rates will drop dramatically compared to prior years. Meanwhile, FAANG companies and high-paying startups filing at Level 3 and Level 4 will see selection rates far above the 35.3% overall average.
Search Wisa for employers that file H-1B petitions at higher wage levels -- your best odds under the weighted lottery.
Search High-Wage Sponsors →Search thousands of verified H-1B sponsors by company, industry, and location.
Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →USCIS implemented the wage-weighted selection system through notice-and-comment rulemaking. Legal challenges were filed but courts have generally upheld the rule as within USCIS's statutory authority. The system is in effect for FY2027 and is unlikely to be reversed for this cycle. Planning around it is more productive than hoping for a legal reversal.
The wage level is determined by the DOL's prevailing wage system based on the SOC code, geographic area, and experience level of the position. Your employer cannot simply choose a higher level -- the position must genuinely require the experience and qualifications corresponding to that level. However, if you gain experience and move to a more senior role, the legitimate wage level may increase.
For this cycle, no -- the registration is already submitted and the lottery is complete. For next year, discuss with your employer whether a promotion, title change, or geographic relocation to a higher-wage area could legitimately move you to Level 3. Moving from Level 2 (31%) to Level 3 (46%) is a 15 percentage point improvement. Some employers reclassify roles to more specialized SOC codes that have higher prevailing wages.
Multiple factors contributed to the 27% decline from ~470K to ~344K registrations: (1) The wage-weighted system discouraged low-wage bulk registrations from consulting firms, (2) the $100K consular processing fee deterred some employers, (3) enhanced duplicate detection reduced fraudulent multiple registrations, and (4) some employers shifted to cap-exempt or alternative visa strategies. The lower volume benefits everyone remaining in the pool -- 35.3% overall odds are the best in several years.