H-1B Wage Benchmark
See where your salary falls relative to H-1B prevailing wage levels. Enter your annual salary and state to get an estimated wage level (1-4), understand what it means for H-1B lottery selection and green card processing, and see how your compensation compares to national benchmarks.
How This Tool Works
Enter your annual salary, job title (optional), and state. The tool compares your salary against approximate national-average H-1B wage level thresholds, with adjustments for high-cost states. It estimates which DOL wage level (1 through 4) your salary corresponds to and explains the implications for H-1B lottery odds and green card processing. For exact prevailing wages based on your specific occupation and metro area, use the Prevailing Wage Lookup tool.
What the Data Covers
The wage level thresholds used in this tool are rough national averages based on DOL prevailing wage data across all occupations. Level 1 starts at approximately $60K, Level 2 at $75K-$80K, Level 3 at $95K-$110K, and Level 4 at $110K-$120K+. High-cost states (California, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, etc.) have adjusted thresholds to account for higher local prevailing wages. These are estimates only. Actual prevailing wages vary significantly by SOC code and metropolitan statistical area.
Tips for Using This Tool
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Source & Methodology
Wage level thresholds are derived from aggregate analysis of DOL prevailing wage determinations and the Online Wage Library (OWL). The four levels correspond to the DOL methodology: Level 1 (17th percentile), Level 2 (34th percentile), Level 3 (50th percentile), and Level 4 (67th percentile) of wages in the occupation and area. State-level adjustments are based on observed patterns in prevailing wage data for major metropolitan areas in each state. This tool is for estimation purposes only.
Prevailing wages vary dramatically by occupation and metro area. A salary that falls into Level 3 nationally might be Level 2 in San Francisco or Level 4 in a rural area. This tool provides a rough benchmark only. For your actual prevailing wage, use the Prevailing Wage Lookup tool or request a determination from the DOL National Prevailing Wage Center. Wage-based lottery selection rules are subject to change.