Software Engineer H-1B Wage Level Breakdown 2026
Most certified H-1B Software Engineer petitions are filed at Level II (Qualified)(50.7% of 543,947 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) | 11.4% | $88K | $80K–$109K | ~15% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 50.7% | $103K | $95K–$129K | ~28% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 21.6% | $138K | $120K–$167K | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 16.4% | $158K | $139K–$190K | ~61% |
Distribution across 543,947 certified Software 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 Software Engineer petition lands near ~36%.
Employers Filing Software Engineers at Level III–IV
These employers most often file Software 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google LLC | Level III | 5,154 | $188K |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | Level IV | 4,111 | $213K |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Level IV | 3,322 | $157K |
| Capgemini America, Inc. | Level III | 3,032 | $120K |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | Level III | 2,800 | $184K |
| Wal-mart Associates, Inc. | Level III | 2,716 | $153K |
| Apple Inc. | Level IV | 2,632 | $193K |
| Deloitte Consulting LLP | Level III | 2,137 | $132K |
Ranked by Level III–IV Software 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
Find Software Engineer H-1B Jobs
Browse active Software Engineer 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 543,947 certified Software Engineer filings with a reported DOL prevailing wage level. Lottery-odds figures reflect the proposed 2026 wage-weighted selection model and are illustrative.