Real prevailing wage data for Physicians on H-1B — by DOL level, metro area, and employer type.
H-1B employers must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for this role and work location. Four levels reflect experience and responsibility, and higher levels improve H-1B lottery selection priority.
National averages — verify at flag.dol.gov for your specific metro before filing.
The LCA must use the prevailing wage for the actual work location. Higher-cost metros mean higher wage floors that protect H-1B workers and increase competitiveness for well-paid roles.
DOL assigns wage levels based on education, experience, complexity of duties, and supervisory responsibility. Advanced credentials and specialized expertise justify higher levels even at earlier career stages. Build a compensation history appropriate to your qualifications from day one — it forms the foundation for PERM and green card filings.
Employer type matters significantly. Large health systems, established firms, and major corporations tend to file at Level II-III to remain competitive for talent. Staffing agencies and smaller employers frequently file at Level I. Under wage-based lottery selection, choosing the higher-wage offer between two comparable jobs has concrete strategic immigration value.
Work location must always match the LCA. Remote work from a different metro requires your employer to file a new LCA for that location. Do not work from a city other than the one certified on your LCA without confirming proper LCA coverage — this is a common but serious compliance gap.
Negotiate salary at every opportunity. The prevailing wage is a legal floor with no ceiling. Use DOL wage data and market salary tools to anchor negotiations at the appropriate level for your experience. Staying comfortably above the prevailing wage provides compliance buffer as wage tables update.
USCIS wage-based lottery selection has made salary a direct input into H-1B success probability. Level III and IV registrations are selected before Level I in any year the cap fills before all tiers are exhausted. When choosing between comparable job offers, the higher-wage offer has strategic lottery value beyond the immediate pay difference.
For PERM-based green card sponsorship, consistency between your H-1B and PERM is essential. The PERM job description should reflect what you actually do, at a compensation level consistent with your H-1B wage. DOL auditors compare H-1B and PERM filings for the same worker — inconsistencies invite scrutiny.
For Indian and Chinese nationals facing decade-long EB-2/EB-3 waits, EB-1A self-petition offers the best escape. Compensation significantly above the occupational median is one concrete indicator of extraordinary ability. Maintain consistent above-median earnings and document them for eventual EB-1A use.
AC21 portability protects job changers after 180 days of pending I-485. "Same or similar" occupation is broadly construed within SOC code families. Ensure your new position is reasonably comparable in duties and compensation to preserve portability protection.
Browse Physician positions at companies actively sponsoring H-1B workers with competitive wages.
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