National Prevailing Wage Thresholds — Electrical Engineers (SOC 17-2071)
Annual equivalents. Source: OFLC Prevailing Wage Data. Last updated 2026-05-02.
Real LCA Filing Stats
Wage Level Distribution (Real Filings)
Based on 423 filings with wage level data.
Top States for Electrical Engineers H-1B Filings
| State | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| TX | $100,619 | 77 |
| MI | $113,359 | 69 |
| CA | $123,252 | 62 |
| KS | $94,948 | 40 |
| VA | $104,417 | 22 |
| FL | $100,892 | 19 |
| CO | $101,506 | 16 |
| NC | $90,851 | 16 |
Top H-1B Employers for Electrical Engineers
| Employer | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Black & Veatch Corporation | $93,581 | 148 |
| T-Mobile USA, Inc. | $109,797 | 56 |
| General Motors | $131,228 | 41 |
| Global Technology Associates, LLC | $92,661 | 39 |
| NextGen Global Resources, LLC | $104,357 | 31 |
| Entergy Services, LLC | $100,050 | 19 |
| Scientific Components Corp. DBA Mini-Circuits | $104,725 | 10 |
| Microchip Technology Inc. | $87,055 | 7 |
Wage Trend by Year
| Year | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $96,634 | 43 |
| 2021 | $98,777 | 59 |
| 2022 | $103,867 | 31 |
| 2023 | $100,422 | 85 |
| 2024 | $103,628 | 146 |
| 2025 | $115,377 | 98 |
| 2026 | $119,843 | 19 |
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 Electrical 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 ($75,566/yr nationally): Position requires only basic understanding of the occupation. Assignments are routine, closely supervised, with limited latitude for judgment.
- Level II – Qualified ($92,560/yr nationally): Some judgment and independent decision-making required. Duties are more complex but still within prescribed parameters.
- Level III – Experienced ($109,761/yr nationally): Significant judgment, evaluation, and independent action. May supervise others. Complex tasks requiring experience-based expertise.
- Level IV – Fully Competent ($126,651/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 481 certified LCA filings for Electrical Engineers, the median wage is $101,982 — 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.