Washington H-1B Wage Level Breakdown 2026
Most certified H-1B petitions in Washington are filed at Level II (Qualified)(43.2% of 137,170 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) | 14.5% | $113K | $92K–$129K | 1× |
| Level II (Qualified) | 43.2% | $140K | $118K–$160K | 2× |
| Level III (Experienced) | 27.4% | $169K | $148K–$188K | 3× |
| Level IV (Expert) | 14.9% | $200K | $170K–$221K | 4× |
Distribution across 137,170 certified LCA filings with a Washington 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.
Washington Employers Filing at Level III–IV
These Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Corporation | Level IV | 3,013 | $212K |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | Level IV | 2,622 | $214K |
| Google LLC | Level III | 1,372 | $185K |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | Level IV | 1,287 | $183K |
| Amazon Web Services, Inc. | Level III | 1,013 | $160K |
| Apple Inc. | Level IV | 712 | $190K |
| Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc. | Level III | 708 | $160K |
| ByteDance Inc. | Level IV | 366 | $240K |
Ranked by Level III–IV filing volume in Washington. 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 137,170 certified filings with a Washington 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.