Data Scientist H-1B Wage Level Breakdown 2026
Most certified H-1B Data Scientist petitions are filed at Level II (Qualified)(40.1% of 61,538 filings). Because the 2026 wage-weighted lottery gives higher DOL prevailing wage levels more entries in the selection pool (Level IV = 4, III = 3, II = 2, I = 1), the level your employer files at directly shapes your selection odds.
Wage Level Distribution & 2026 Lottery Entry Weight
| DOL Wage Level | Share of Filings | Median Wage | 25th–75th | 2026 Lottery Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 15.6% | $85K | $74K–$105K | 1× |
| Level II (Qualified) | 40.1% | $112K | $96K–$141K | 2× |
| Level III (Experienced) | 24.2% | $149K | $123K–$174K | 3× |
| Level IV (Expert) | 20.1% | $170K | $143K–$200K | 4× |
Distribution across 61,538 certified Data Scientist LCA filings (DOL FY2022–2026). Entry-weight column reflects the DHS wage-weighted selection rule effective February 27, 2026 (Level IV = 4 entries, III = 3, II = 2, I = 1 in the registration pool). USCIS has not published official aggregate selection-rate percentages by wage level, so none are stated here.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Corporation | Level III | 971 | $180K |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | Level IV | 901 | $205K |
| Wal-mart Associates, Inc. | Level III | 785 | $167K |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | Level III | 415 | $175K |
| Google LLC | Level III | 362 | $175K |
| Capital One, National Association | Level IV | 255 | $167K |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Level IV | 227 | $170K |
| Apple Inc. | Level IV | 223 | $181K |
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 61,538 certified Data Scientist filings with a reported DOL prevailing wage level. Lottery entry-weight figures reflect the DHS wage-weighted selection rule effective February 27, 2026; USCIS has not published official aggregate selection-rate percentages by wage level.