National Prevailing Wage Thresholds — Civil Engineers (SOC 17-2051)
Annual equivalents. Source: OFLC Prevailing Wage Data. Last updated 2026-05-02.
Real LCA Filing Stats
Wage Level Distribution (Real Filings)
Based on 259 filings with wage level data.
Top States for Civil Engineers H-1B Filings
| State | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| FL | $82,512 | 49 |
| TX | $93,663 | 40 |
| CA | $114,181 | 33 |
| WA | $97,894 | 20 |
| MI | $81,849 | 14 |
| NJ | $88,520 | 14 |
| NY | $90,185 | 11 |
| AZ | $89,195 | 10 |
Top H-1B Employers for Civil Engineers
| Employer | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Black & Veatch Corporation | $86,859 | 50 |
| HNTB Corporation | $117,810 | 29 |
| TranSystems Corporation | $85,817 | 21 |
| LEGO Construction Co. | $75,481 | 16 |
| Ardurra Group, Inc. | $91,013 | 10 |
| ANS Geo | $86,885 | 9 |
| AECOM Technical Services, Inc. | $102,111 | 9 |
| RADISE International, L.C. | $67,922 | 8 |
Wage Trend by Year
| Year | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $86,959 | 14 |
| 2021 | $91,080 | 17 |
| 2022 | $91,731 | 21 |
| 2023 | $84,755 | 72 |
| 2024 | $92,621 | 96 |
| 2025 | $95,776 | 60 |
| 2026 | $126,426 | 2 |
Calculate Your Exact Wage Level
Enter the specific job requirements — degree, experience, supervision duties — and get the DOL-calculated level with real comparison data.
Open the Interactive CalculatorHow the H-1B Wage Level is Determined for Civil Engineers
Under the Department of Labor's prevailing wage determination process (NPWHC Policy Guidance, November 2009), the wage level for an H-1B petition is not simply based on job title or salary — it's calculated by analyzing the specific requirements of the position. This protects U.S. workers from wage depression and ensures H-1B workers are fairly compensated.
The Four Wage Levels
- Level I – Entry ($67,142/yr nationally): Position requires only basic understanding of the occupation. Assignments are routine, closely supervised, with limited latitude for judgment.
- Level II – Qualified ($82,763/yr nationally): Some judgment and independent decision-making required. Duties are more complex but still within prescribed parameters.
- Level III – Experienced ($97,760/yr nationally): Significant judgment, evaluation, and independent action. May supervise others. Complex tasks requiring experience-based expertise.
- Level IV – Fully Competent ($112,964/yr nationally): Highest level of competence. Uses advanced, specialized knowledge. May direct others. Handles novel or critical situations independently.
DOL Scoring Factors
Starting from a baseline of Level I, points are added based on job requirements:
- Education above bachelor's degree: Master's or J.D. = +1 point; PhD, M.D., D.V.M., D.D.S. = +2 points
- Experience: 2–4 years = +1 point; 5 or more years = +2 points
- Supervisory duties: Any supervision of others = +1 point
- Special requirements: Professional license, foreign language fluency, or additional certification = +1 each, capped at +2 total
Scores map to levels: 0 points = Level I, 1 point = Level II, 2 points = Level III, 3+ points = Level IV.
Why Wage Level Matters for H-1B Approval
USCIS scrutinizes petitions where the offered wage matches a Level I or II designation for a position that appears to require significantly more expertise. A mismatch between job duties and wage level can result in an RFE (Request for Evidence) or denial. Based on 282 certified LCA filings for Civil Engineers, the median wage is $85,350 — use this as a benchmark when evaluating your offer's competitiveness.
Prevailing Wage by Metro Area
The national wage thresholds shown above are baseline figures. Prevailing wages vary significantly by metropolitan area — San Francisco, Seattle, and New York typically run 20–40% above the national average for tech occupations. Use the interactive calculator with your specific metro area for the most accurate threshold.