Level 1 = 1 entry (~15% odds), Level 2 = 2 entries (~31% odds), Level 3 = 3 entries (~46% odds), Level 4 = 4 entries (~62% odds) — calculate your exact FY2027 selection probability
The FY2027 H-1B lottery is the first to use wage-weighted selection. Under this system, your prevailing wage level determines how many 'entries' your registration effectively receives in the lottery. Higher wage levels get proportionally more entries, translating to significantly better selection odds. Here's how the math works.
| Wage Level | Effective Entries | Est. Selection Rate | Typical Salary Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 (Fully Competent) | 4 entries | ~62% | $170K+ (varies by city/SOC) |
| Level 3 (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~46% | $130K-$170K (varies by city/SOC) |
| Level 2 (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% | $100K-$130K (varies by city/SOC) |
| Level 1 (Entry) | 1 entry | ~15% | $70K-$100K (varies by city/SOC) |
The wage-weighted lottery assigns each registration a number of effective entries proportional to its wage level. Think of it like a raffle: Level 1 registrations get 1 ticket, Level 2 gets 2 tickets, Level 3 gets 3 tickets, and Level 4 gets 4 tickets. USCIS then draws from this weighted pool until the 85,000 cap is filled.
With approximately 344,000 registrations for FY2027 and 85,000 available slots, the overall selection rate would be ~25% in an unweighted lottery. But weighting dramatically shifts the odds. If the registration distribution is roughly 40% Level 1, 30% Level 2, 20% Level 3, and 10% Level 4, the weighted entries create a total pool of approximately 688,000 effective entries — making each entry worth about 12.4% selection probability. Level 4 with 4 entries gets ~49.6%, Level 3 with 3 entries gets ~37.2%, and so on.
The exact odds depend on the actual distribution of registrations across wage levels — which USCIS has not yet published for FY2027. The estimates above are based on immigration attorney modeling using prior year registration data and the final rule's weighting structure. Actual rates will be published after the selection process completes.
Search Wisa for employers paying Level 3 and Level 4 prevailing wages.
Search by Wage Level →Search thousands of verified H-1B sponsors by company, industry, and location.
Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →No. USCIS has not published exact selection rates by wage level for FY2027. These are estimates based on the final rule's weighting structure (proportional entries by wage level) and approximately 344,000 total registrations. The actual rates depend on the distribution of registrations across wage levels, which USCIS will publish after selection is complete. Immigration attorneys and researchers use these models for planning purposes.
Potentially — if a higher salary moves you into a higher wage level for your SOC code and work location. However, the wage level on the registration was already set when your employer registered in March. For FY2027, your odds are fixed based on what was submitted. For future lottery cycles, negotiating a higher salary that pushes you from Level 2 to Level 3 could roughly double your effective entries.
Yes. The DHS final rule implementing the wage-weighted H-1B selection system was finalized and applies to the FY2027 registration period. FY2027 is the first fiscal year using this system. All registrations submitted during the March 7-19, 2026 window will be selected using the wage-weighted algorithm.
The wage level on the H-1B registration corresponds to the prevailing wage tier for the specific SOC code and work location. Level 1 = 17th percentile, Level 2 = 34th percentile, Level 3 = 50th percentile (median), Level 4 = 67th percentile. The actual salary must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for the assigned level. The same salary can be different levels in different cities.