Maryland H-1B Wage Level Breakdown 2026
Most certified H-1B petitions in Maryland are filed at Level II (Qualified)(43.5% of 26,891 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), where your employer files 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) | 28.9% | $82K | $71K–$95K | 1× |
| Level II (Qualified) | 43.5% | $105K | $95K–$120K | 2× |
| Level III (Experienced) | 17.7% | $130K | $116K–$148K | 3× |
| Level IV (Expert) | 9.9% | $156K | $139K–$176K | 4× |
Distribution across 26,891 certified LCA filings with a Maryland worksite (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.
Maryland Employers Filing at Level III–IV
These Maryland employers most often file 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health, HHS | Level III | 155 | $111K |
| Hughes Network Systems LLC | Level III | 137 | $138K |
| T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. | Level III | 126 | $126K |
| Johns Hopkins University | Level III | 117 | $94K |
| Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. | Level IV | 93 | $156K |
| Cognizant Technology Solutions US Corp | Level IV | 86 | $149K |
| Accenture LLP | Level IV | 80 | $156K |
| AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP | Level IV | 76 | $190K |
Ranked by Level III–IV filing volume in Maryland. Linked employers have a full sponsorship profile.
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 26,891 certified filings with a Maryland worksite and 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.