H-1B Salary Database: Prevailing Wages by Job Title and City in 2026
LCA (Labor Condition Application) disclosure data is publicly available and provides the most accurate source of H-1B prevailing wages. This guide synthesizes that data into actionable salary benchmarks for the most common H-1B job titles across major US metro areas.
How H-1B Prevailing Wages Work
DOL sets prevailing wages at four levels: Level I (entry), Level II (qualified), Level III (experienced), Level IV (fully competent). Employers must pay at least the prevailing wage. Most H-1B workers are filed at Level II or III. Check your LCA in the DOL FLAG system.
Software Engineer H-1B Salaries by City
San Francisco: $165K-$230K. Seattle: $155K-$210K. New York: $145K-$200K. Austin: $130K-$175K. Chicago: $120K-$160K. Remote varies by state. Data reflects 2025-2026 LCA filings.
Data Science and ML H-1B Salaries
Data Scientist: $140K-$200K nationally. Machine Learning Engineer: $155K-$220K. AI Research Scientist: $165K-$280K. Quantitative Researcher: $175K-$400K+ (finance). All figures are prevailing wage floors, and actual compensation is often higher.
Product and Business H-1B Salaries
Product Manager: $130K-$190K. Business Analyst: $90K-$130K. Financial Analyst: $85K-$125K. Management Consultant: $100K-$165K. Marketing Manager: $90K-$135K.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find official H-1B salary data?
The DOL FLAG system and USCIS H-1B disclosure data are the authoritative public sources for LCA prevailing wages by employer, job title, and worksite.
What is the minimum H-1B salary in 2026?
There is no single national minimum; the floor is the DOL prevailing wage for your specific job title, level, and worksite, which can range from under $90K for some roles to well over $200K in high-cost metros.
How do I check if my employer is paying the correct H-1B prevailing wage?
Look up your LCA in the DOL FLAG system, note the wage level and worksite, and compare the listed prevailing wage against your offered salary to confirm you are being paid at or above the required floor.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and situation-specific. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney before making decisions about your immigration status.