The lowest wage level rule, hybrid work split-city traps, and why your worksite choice can make or break your FY2027 selection
Under the new wage-weighted H-1B lottery, where you work directly determines your lottery odds. But for workers splitting time between multiple worksites — especially hybrid remote arrangements across cities — a critical and counterintuitive rule applies: USCIS uses the LOWEST prevailing wage level across all listed worksites. This means a worker splitting time between San Francisco (Level 4) and Reno (Level 1) would be classified at Level 1 for lottery purposes.
Quick Answer: If your H-1B petition lists multiple worksites, USCIS assigns the LOWEST prevailing wage level across all locations for lottery weighting. A $200K salary split between San Francisco (Level 4) and a lower-cost city (Level 1) results in Level 1 lottery odds (~15% selection). Employers must strategically choose worksites to protect lottery odds.
| Company | H-1B Filings | Multi-Worksite Prevalence |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 55,150 | High — multiple offices |
| Microsoft | 34,626 | High — hybrid campuses |
| 33,416 | Medium — primarily single-site | |
| Infosys | 32,840 | Very High — client worksites |
| Tata Consultancy Services | 28,950 | Very High — client worksites |
| Cognizant | 26,700 | Very High — consulting sites |
| Deloitte | 18,200 | High — client worksites |
| Apple | 15,800 | Low — primarily Cupertino |
The "lowest wage level" rule exists because DOL determines prevailing wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). A Software Engineer Level 4 in San Francisco ($198K+) might only qualify as Level 2 in a smaller city at the same salary. Consulting companies and IT staffing firms are most affected — employees placed at client sites in lower-cost areas drag down the wage level. The strategy is clear: if possible, list only the highest-cost worksite on the LCA. But this must be legitimate — USCIS can issue RFEs if the listed worksite does not match actual work location.
Some employers are restructuring remote work policies specifically to consolidate worksites in high-cost metros for lottery purposes. For hybrid workers, the key question is whether your secondary worksite needs to be listed. Brief visits or occasional meetings at another location do not require listing. But regular hybrid splits (e.g., 3 days SF / 2 days Reno) require both locations on the LCA, triggering the lowest-level rule.
The impact is most severe for IT consulting and staffing companies. Workers placed at client sites in varying cities often end up with the lowest wage level across all assignments. This is one reason consulting firms' H-1B selection rates are expected to be significantly lower under the wage-weighted system compared to product companies that employ workers at a single campus.
Search Wisa for employers that file H-1B at single worksites in high-cost metros for maximum lottery odds.
Search Multi-Worksite Sponsors →Search thousands of verified H-1B sponsors by company, industry, and location.
Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →The LCA must list all worksites where you will perform work for a "significant" period. Brief visits or occasional meetings at another location do not require listing. But regular hybrid splits (e.g., 3 days SF / 2 days Reno) require both locations. Misrepresentation on the LCA can result in petition denial or revocation.
For remote workers, the worksite is where you physically perform the work — your home address MSA. If you live in a lower-cost area but your employer is in a high-cost city, the prevailing wage is based on YOUR location. This is a common trap for remote workers who assume the employer's HQ determines the wage level.
Yes, IT consulting and staffing companies are disproportionately affected. Workers placed at client sites in varying cities often end up with the lowest wage level. This is one reason why consulting firms' selection rates are expected to be lower under the wage-weighted system compared to product companies.
You can discuss it, but the arrangement must be legitimate. An employer cannot claim you work only in San Francisco if you actually split time with a cheaper location. However, genuinely consolidating your work to a single high-cost site is a valid strategy — many companies are doing this.