Data Scientist H-1B Wage Level Breakdown 2026
Most certified H-1B Data Scientist petitions are filed at Level II (Qualified)(40% of 35,605 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) | 14.5% | $85K | $75K–$108K | ~15% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 40% | $110K | $94K–$138K | ~28% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 25.1% | $144K | $120K–$169K | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 20.3% | $163K | $139K–$192K | ~61% |
Distribution across 35,605 certified Data Scientist 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 Scientist petition lands near ~37%.
Employers Filing Data Scientists at Level III–IV
These employers most often file Data Scientist 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | Level IV | 586 | $199K |
| Wal-mart Associates, Inc. | Level III | 537 | $165K |
| Microsoft Corporation | Level III | 535 | $177K |
| Google LLC | Level III | 237 | $167K |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | Level III | 223 | $175K |
| Aetna Resources LLC | Level IV | 161 | $160K |
| Apple Inc. | Level IV | 131 | $180K |
| Caremark LLC | Level IV | 127 | $150K |
Ranked by Level III–IV Data Scientist 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
Find Data Scientist H-1B Jobs
Browse active Data Scientist openings from verified H-1B sponsors that file at competitive wage levels.
Browse JobsH1B Visa Jobs Research Team
Wage-level distribution aggregated from DOL LCA disclosure files (FY2022–2026), filtered to certified petitions with wages between $30K and $1M. Based on 35,605 certified Data Scientist filings with a reported DOL prevailing wage level. Lottery-odds figures reflect the proposed 2026 wage-weighted selection model and are illustrative.