Find the required prevailing wage for any occupation and work location using official DOL data sources.
Every H-1B petition requires the employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of employment. Understanding how prevailing wages are determined — and how to look them up — is essential for both employers filing petitions and workers evaluating job offers. Wisa makes prevailing wage data accessible so you can verify that your offered salary meets DOL requirements.
The prevailing wage is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment. The Department of Labor (DOL) requires that H-1B employers pay at least this wage to ensure that hiring foreign workers does not adversely affect the wages of U.S. workers in comparable positions. Employers must attest to paying the prevailing wage on the Labor Condition Application (LCA) before filing the H-1B petition with USCIS.
There are two primary methods for determining the prevailing wage:
The OES prevailing wage system uses four wage levels based on the complexity of the job duties and the experience required:
The wage level on your LCA directly impacts your H-1B petition. USCIS uses the wage level as one indicator of the specialty occupation requirement. Petitions filed at Level 1 wages receive greater scrutiny because USCIS may question whether an entry-level wage reflects a true specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree. Filing at Level 2 or higher generally strengthens the petition.
First, identify the correct SOC code for your position using the O*NET database or BLS classification system. Next, determine the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) or county for the work location. Then search the FLAG system or use Wisa's prevailing wage lookup tool to find the applicable wage at your designated level. Compare this to your offered salary — it must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for the position and location.
Search thousands of verified H-1B sponsors by company, industry, and location.
Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →You can look up prevailing wages on the DOL's Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) at flag.dol.gov. Enter the SOC code for your occupation and the work location to see wages at all four levels. Wisa also provides prevailing wage data integrated with H-1B sponsor information so you can compare offered salaries against requirements.
Paying below the prevailing wage is a violation of the Labor Condition Application. The DOL can investigate complaints and order back pay, civil penalties of up to $60,000 per violation, and debarment from the H-1B program for willful violators. Workers who suspect underpayment can file a complaint with the DOL Wage and Hour Division.
The prevailing wage is locked in at the time the LCA is certified and remains valid for the duration of that LCA. However, when an employer files a new LCA — for an extension, amendment, or new petition — they must use the prevailing wage in effect at that time. OES wage data is updated annually, so prevailing wages can change year over year.
OES wages come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are based on broad government surveys of employers across the country. Survey-based wages come from private compensation surveys and can sometimes reflect higher or lower wages than OES data for specific roles. Most employers use OES wages because they are simpler and less likely to be challenged. Private surveys must meet strict DOL criteria to be accepted.