How to Find the Prevailing Wage for H-1B Filings

The H-1B visa program requires employers to pay foreign workers at least the "prevailing wage" — the wage paid to similarly employed workers in the occupation and area. This protects U.S. workers from being undercut by cheaper foreign labor and ensures H-1B workers are paid fairly.

How Prevailing Wages Are Determined

The DOL uses OEWS wage data to set prevailing wages for most occupations. It maps occupations to four wage levels based on skill, complexity, and supervision requirements. Level I (entry-level) corresponds to approximately the 17th percentile of OEWS wages; Level II to the median; Level III to the 67th percentile; Level IV to the 83rd percentile. Employers must pay at or above the level that matches the position's requirements.

Employer-Provided vs. DOL-Determined Wages

Alternatively, employers can use their own internal wage survey if it meets DOL standards (the "actual wage" method). This is less common because conducting a compliant survey is methodologically demanding. Most employers use the DOL Online Wage Library (OWL), which provides prevailing wages based on OEWS data for any occupation-area combination.

Compare employer-filed wages to prevailing rates at our employers section.