Wage Level (I-IV)
DOL's four-tier system classifying H-1B positions by experience level, Level I (entry) to Level IV (expert), which determines the minimum prevailing wage the employer must pay.
How It Works
Wage levels correspond to percentiles of wages for a given occupation and area: Level I = 17th percentile (entry-level, under close supervision), Level II = 34th percentile (qualified, moderate supervision), Level III = 50th percentile (experienced, independent judgment), and Level IV = 67th percentile (expert, supervises others). The wage level on an LCA has been a focus of policy debates: critics argue that too many H-1B workers are classified as Level I, allowing employers to pay below-market wages. Proponents note that many H-1B workers are genuinely entry-level in their specific role, even if they hold advanced degrees.
Related Terms
- Prevailing Wage, The average wage paid to workers in a similar occupation in the same geographic area, employers must pay H-1B workers at least this amount to prevent undercutting U.S. wages.
- Labor Condition Application (LCA), A DOL-certified form that employers must file before hiring an H-1B worker, attesting they will pay at least the prevailing wage and not adversely affect working conditions for U.S. workers.
Explore H-1B Data
About This Definition
This definition is part of the H1BVisaTracker H-1B Visa Glossary, 26 terms explaining H-1B sponsorship, work visas, and employment-based immigration in the United States. Written for international workers, employers, and immigration professionals.