H-1B Minimum Salary Requirements: Wage Levels, Prevailing Wage & the $60,000 Rule

Table of Contents

• Minimum Salary Requirements for H1B
• How to Check the Prevailing Wage of Your Job?
• What Types of Income Count Toward the H1B Wage Requirements?

If you are applying for or working under H-1B status, one of the most important employment requirements is the wage your employer must pay. But there is no single nationwide minimum salary that applies to every H-1B worker.

In general, an H-1B employer must pay at least the higher of two amounts: the employer’s actual wage for similarly employed workers or the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment.

The frequently cited $60,000 figure is not a universal H-1B minimum salary. It applies in a narrower context involving the definition of an “exempt H-1B nonimmigrant” under certain rules for H-1B-dependent employers and willful violators.

This guide explains the H-1B minimum salary requirements in 2026, how prevailing wages and H-1B wage levels work, what the $60,000 rule actually means, and how to check current Department of Labor wage data.

Previously, we released an article on specialty occupation requirements for H1B. In this article, we will focus on the H1B minimum salary requirements. You can also read our latest article talking about H-1B new rule starting from 2027 fy.

Exempt H-1B workers and $60,000 rule

What Is the Minimum Salary for an H-1B Worker in 2026?

Under Department of Labor rules, the employer generally must pay the H-1B worker at least the “required wage,” which is the higher of:

• the actual wage paid by the employer to similarly employed workers with comparable experience and qualifications; or
• the prevailing wage for the occupational classification in the area of intended employment.

This means two H-1B workers with similar job titles may have different required salaries depending on their occupation, work location, job requirements, experience level, and the employer’s own wage structure.

1. Actual Wage

The actual wage is the wage rate an employer pays workers who have similar experience and qualifications and perform substantially comparable work.

Factors used by an employer in establishing its actual wage may include experience, qualifications, education, job responsibilities, specialized knowledge, and other legitimate business factors.

2. Prevailing Wage

The prevailing wage represents the applicable wage for an occupational classification in the geographic area where the H-1B employee will work.

For H-1B purposes, employers generally must compare the prevailing wage with their actual wage and pay whichever amount is higher.

The prevailing wage therefore cannot be reduced to one national H-1B salary threshold.

• Occupation

Prevailing wages vary significantly by occupation. A software developer, financial analyst, engineer, marketing manager, and university researcher will generally have different wage data even when working in the same city.

The occupation used should accurately reflect the duties of the position rather than simply relying on the employee’s job title.

• Job Requirements

The experience, education, skills, supervisory responsibilities, and other requirements associated with a position can affect the wage level assigned to the job.

A position requiring substantially greater experience or responsibility may correspond to a higher wage level than an entry-level position within the same occupation.

• Geographic Area

Prevailing wage data also varies by location because the Department of Labor publishes occupational wage information for different geographic areas.

As a result, the prevailing wage for the same occupation can differ between cities, metropolitan areas, and states.

As shown in the following pictures, the prevailing wage for the position of sales manager is higher in California than in New Mexico.

Wage Levels in Los Angeles, California

Wage Levels in Santa Fe, New Mexico

H-1B required wage

H-1B Wage Levels 1–4 Explained

The Department of Labor prevailing-wage framework uses four wage levels to reflect different levels of experience, responsibility, and job requirements.

• • Wage Level 1 – Lower – Entry-level
  • Wage Level 2- Moderate- Qualified
  • Wage Level 3- Higher- Experienced
  • Wage Level 4- Highest- Advanced

These wage levels should not be treated as fixed nationwide salary brackets.

For example, a Level II position in one occupation and metropolitan area may have a very different prevailing wage from a Level II position in another occupation or location.

The same principle applies to searches such as “H-1B wage level 2 salary range,” “H-1B wage level 3 salary range,” or “H-1B wage level 4 salary range”: there is no single dollar amount that applies across the United States.

H-1B Wage Level 1

Level I generally represents entry-level positions. The appropriate wage still depends on the occupation and geographic area.

H-1B Wage Level 2

Level II generally represents qualified workers whose position or requirements are above the entry level.

H-1B Wage Level 3

Level III generally corresponds to experienced positions with greater experience, responsibility, or job requirements.

H-1B Wage Level 4

Level IV is the highest of the four wage levels and generally represents fully competent workers within the occupation.

How to Check the Prevailing Wage of Your Job?

You can check the prevailing wage for your job by consulting OFLC Wage Search.

Step 1: Select a data series and choose "7/2024 - 6/2025."

Step 2: Choose "All Industries."

Step 3: Enter your occupation code and job title. Note that you need to type it manually rather than copying and pasting.

Step 4:  Choose the area where you are based. Click "Submit" and you will see the wage levels.

You can also refer to wage data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to compare the median annual wages across different occupations. However, keep in mind that the FLC Data Center is the definitive source for determining salary requirements for H1B.

Proposed H-1B Prevailing Wage Changes in 2026

In March 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed changes to the methodology used to determine prevailing wages for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and certain employment-based immigrant visa programs.

The proposal could affect how prevailing wage levels are calculated if it is finalized. As of October 1, 2026, it remains a proposed rule rather than the final wage methodology.

Because H-1B wage regulations can change, employers and workers should distinguish between current requirements and proposed rules that have not yet taken effect.

What Types of Income Count Toward the H1B Wage Requirements?

The types of income qualified for counting toward the H1B minimum wage requirements include:

• Base Salary
• Bonuses and Incentive Payments (must be guaranteed and documented in the terms of employment)
• Overtime Pay (applicable to jobs that typically requires overtime work; must be guaranteed and meet the requirements under applicable laws)
• Allowances and Stock Options (must be documented and can be converted into cashable value)

The types of income that may not count toward the H1B minimum wage requirements include:

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Non-Guaranteed Bonuses
• Non-Guaranteed Allowances
•  The Employer’s Business Expenses (such as H1B filing fees)

Official Sources

For the latest information, consult:

• U.S. Department of Labor — H-1B Required Wage guidance
• U.S. Department of Labor — H-1B Exempt Worker guidance
• U.S. Department of Labor — Office of Foreign Labor Certification Wage Search
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — H-1B program information