Visa & Green Card

DOL Wage Levels Explained

Level I, II, III, IV — what each means, how the level is decided, and how it sets your prevailing wage for PERM and H-1B.

  • Level I–IV
  • OEWS-based
  • PERM & H-1B
Estimate your wage level →

Educational estimate only. Not legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice. Full disclaimer below.

Every PERM and H-1B case is tied to a prevailing wage — the local going rate for the job. DOL sets it by matching your SOC occupation and area to survey data, then choosing one of four wage levels based on how demanding the role is. Here is what each level means.

  1. Level I (Entry)

    17th percentile of the OEWS wage distribution

    Entry-level roles. Workers who perform routine tasks under close supervision and have a basic understanding of the occupation.

    • •Little to no prior experience required
    • •Close supervision; routine tasks
    • •Only the basic education/experience the occupation normally requires

  2. Level II (Qualified)

    34th percentile of the OEWS wage distribution

    Qualified workers who have some experience and perform moderately complex tasks with limited judgment.

    • •Some experience (often a couple of years)
    • •Moderately complex tasks, limited independent judgment
    • •Requirements modestly above the occupational baseline

  3. Level III (Experienced)

    50th percentile (median) of the OEWS wage distribution

    Experienced workers who use independent judgment, may supervise, and handle complex tasks.

    • •Meaningful experience in the role
    • •Independent judgment; may direct or train others
    • •Advanced degree or special skills tied to the duties

  4. Level IV (Fully Competent)

    67th percentile of the OEWS wage distribution

    Fully competent / senior workers who plan and lead, use wide latitude of judgment, and often manage others.

    • •Senior or lead responsibilities
    • •Wide latitude for independent judgment; strategic duties
    • •Substantial experience and/or advanced credentials

How the level is decided

The employer’s attorney starts at Level I and adds points for requirements above the occupation’s normal baseline — extra experience, an advanced-degree requirement, special skills, and supervisory duties. The total maps to Level I–IV. The level must honestly reflect the real job; setting it too low for the actual duties can cause problems, while a higher level raises the wage the employer must pay.

Data source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC prevailing wage / OEWS data. Actual prevailing wages depend on your specific SOC occupation and area of employment and refresh annually — always look up your exact figure at the official source.

Related wage & PERM tools

Prevailing Wage Calculator

Estimate your wage level & check an offer

H-1B Prevailing Wage

How the required wage works for H-1B

PERM Processing Time Calculator

Your full PWD → PERM → I-140 timeline

PWD Processing Time

Prevailing wage determination timeline

DOL Processing Times

PERM, PWD & audit review queues

H-1B Salary Explorer

Real certified H-1B wages by role & city

H-1B Sponsor Finder

Employers that sponsor by role & state

H-1B Guide

The full H-1B process for Indians

Frequently asked questions

What are DOL wage levels?

DOL sorts each job into one of four wage levels based on how demanding it is. Each level corresponds to a percentile of the local wage distribution for that occupation, so a higher level means a higher required prevailing wage.

What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 4?

Level I (entry) sits around the 17th percentile and fits routine, closely supervised roles. Level IV (fully competent/senior) sits around the 67th percentile and fits senior roles with independent judgment and leadership. Levels II and III are in between.

How is my wage level decided?

The employer/attorney uses DOL's worksheet, starting at Level I and adding points for requirements above the occupational baseline — extra experience, an advanced degree requirement, special skills, and supervisory duties. The total maps to Level I, II, III, or IV.

Does a higher wage level mean a higher salary requirement?

Yes. Each level maps to a higher percentile of the local wage distribution, so moving from Level I to Level IV raises the prevailing wage the employer must meet.

Which wage level is best for my green card?

There is no universally 'best' level — it must honestly reflect the job's real requirements. A level that is too low for the actual duties can trigger problems; too high raises the wage the employer must pay. Your attorney sets it based on the position.

Do wage levels apply to both PERM and H-1B?

Yes, the same four-level framework underlies both, though they are separate filings. PERM uses a formal prevailing wage determination; H-1B uses the wage attested on the LCA. Both key off your SOC code and area of employment.

Where does the wage data come from?

For most cases, from the OEWS (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics) survey, matched to your SOC occupation and area. It refreshes annually (about each July). Employers may also use an approved alternative (non-OEWS) survey.

How do I find the exact wage for my level?

Look it up by SOC occupation code and area of employment at the DOL FLAG wage search. Our prevailing wage calculator estimates your likely level and lets you compare an offer.

Written / reviewed by Deepak Middha · CA, Series 65

Last updated: July 3, 2026

Disclaimer, assumptions & sources

This tool is for general education and planning only. It does not replace advice from a CPA, attorney, financial advisor, USCIS, IRS, State Department, or other official source. Rules, limits, forms, fees, dates, and government processing information may change. Always verify before filing, investing, or making immigration, tax, or financial decisions.

  • For educational use only — not legal advice.
  • Not tax advice.
  • Not financial advice.
  • Not immigration advice.
  • Numbers, forms, fees, dates, rules, and limits may change at any time.
  • Always verify with official sources before acting.
  • Consult a CPA, attorney, financial advisor, or the relevant official agency (USCIS, IRS, State Department) when it matters to your situation.

See our full site disclaimer for complete terms.