Visa & Green Card
Prevailing Wage Calculator 2026
Estimate your DOL wage level (I–IV) and check whether an offered wage meets the prevailing wage for PERM or H-1B.
- 60-second check
- No signup
- No personal data
- Instant result
Educational estimate only. Not legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice. Full disclaimer below.
Wage figures come from your SOC + area on DOL FLAG. 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.
Prevailing Wage Calculator
Estimate your wage level & check an offer
Answer a few questions to estimate which DOL wage level fits, then compare an offered wage to the prevailing wage.
The four DOL wage levels
DOL assigns one of four levels based on the job’s requirements. Each maps to a percentile of the local wage distribution for your occupation.
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.
Level II (Qualified)
34th percentile of the OEWS wage distribution
Qualified workers who have some experience and perform moderately complex tasks with limited judgment.
Level III (Experienced)
50th percentile (median) of the OEWS wage distribution
Experienced workers who use independent judgment, may supervise, and handle complex tasks.
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.
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.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a prevailing wage?
The prevailing wage is the minimum wage the U.S. Department of Labor says an employer must pay for a specific job in a specific area. It protects U.S. workers by ensuring foreign workers aren't hired below the local going rate. It applies to PERM green card cases and H-1B (and related) petitions.
How is the prevailing wage determined?
For most cases DOL uses the OEWS (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics) survey, matched to your SOC occupation code and the area of intended employment, then assigns one of four wage levels based on the job's requirements. Employers can also use an approved alternative survey (non-OEWS).
What are the four DOL wage levels?
Level I (entry, ~17th percentile), Level II (qualified, ~34th), Level III (experienced, ~50th/median), and Level IV (fully competent/senior, ~67th). Higher requirements — experience, advanced degrees, supervision, independent judgment — push the level and the required wage up.
How do I find my exact prevailing wage?
Look it up by SOC occupation code and area of employment at the DOL FLAG wage search (flag.dol.gov/wage-data/wage-search). This tool estimates your likely level and checks an offer, but the official figure comes from that lookup.
Does my employer have to pay the prevailing wage?
Your employer must pay at least the required wage, which is the higher of the prevailing wage and the employer's actual wage paid to similar workers. Paying below the required wage can jeopardize the PERM or H-1B case.
What happens if my offered wage is below the prevailing wage?
The case generally cannot proceed at that wage — the employer must raise the offered wage to at least the prevailing wage (or the actual wage, whichever is higher). If you see a shortfall, raise it with your employer's immigration attorney before filing.
Is the wage level the same for PERM and H-1B?
The four-level framework is the same, but they are separate filings. The PERM prevailing wage comes from a formal prevailing wage determination (PWD); the H-1B uses the prevailing wage attested on the LCA. The SOC code and area drive both.
How often does prevailing wage data change?
The OEWS wage data DOL uses refreshes annually, typically each July. Your exact figure can change when the new vintage is released, so verify at the official source before relying on a number.
Is this calculator legal advice?
No. This calculator is for educational planning only and is not legal advice. It does not issue an official wage level or prevailing wage. Always confirm your case with your employer's immigration attorney.
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.
This calculator is for educational planning only and is not legal advice. Always confirm your wage level and prevailing wage with your employer’s immigration attorney.
See our full site disclaimer for complete terms.