Data Engineer H-1B Wage Level Breakdown 2026
Most certified H-1B Data Engineer petitions are filed at Level II (Qualified)(46.1% of 25,630 filings). Because the proposed 2026 wage-weighted lottery favors higher DOL prevailing wage levels, the level your employer files at directly shapes your selection odds.
Wage Level Distribution & 2026 Lottery Odds
| DOL Wage Level | Share of Filings | Median Wage | 25th–75th | Est. 2026 Lottery Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 11.5% | $89K | $80K–$111K | ~15% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 46.1% | $103K | $92K–$125K | ~28% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 21.8% | $133K | $117K–$160K | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 20.6% | $153K | $135K–$180K | ~61% |
Distribution across 25,630 certified Data Engineer LCA filings (DOL FY2022–2026). Lottery-odds column reflects the proposed 2026 wage-weighted selection model (Level I ~15%, II ~28%, III ~45%, IV ~61%); share-weighted, a typical Data Engineer petition lands near ~37%.
Employers Filing Data Engineers at Level III–IV
These employers most often file Data Engineer petitions at the higher prevailing wage levels — the tiers with the strongest selection odds under the 2026 wage-weighted lottery.
| Employer | Level | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Services LLC | Level III | 522 | $170K |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | Level IV | 383 | $200K |
| Caremark LLC | Level IV | 179 | $150K |
| Wal-mart Associates, Inc. | Level III | 176 | $140K |
| Fidelity Technology Group, LLC | Level III | 111 | $121K |
| Visa Technology & Operations LLC | Level IV | 105 | $162K |
| Aetna Resources LLC | Level IV | 97 | $147K |
| NIKE, Inc. | Level IV | 76 | $151K |
Ranked by Level III–IV Data Engineer filing volume. Linked employers have a full per-company wage breakdown.
What DOL Wage Levels Mean
Every H-1B Labor Condition Application is filed at one of four DOL prevailing wage levels, set by the role's required experience and the OES survey for the occupation and location:
- Level I (Entry): roughly the 17th percentile wage — new graduates and early-career hires.
- Level II (Qualified): ~34th percentile — some experience, the most common H-1B level.
- Level III (Experienced): ~50th percentile — independent, senior-leaning roles.
- Level IV (Expert): ~67th percentile and up — lead, principal, and managerial roles.
Related H-1B Data
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Wage-level distribution aggregated from DOL LCA disclosure files (FY2022–2026), filtered to certified petitions with wages between $30K and $1M. Based on 25,630 certified Data Engineer filings with a reported DOL prevailing wage level. Lottery-odds figures reflect the proposed 2026 wage-weighted selection model and are illustrative.