Does the E-3 require the same wage level as the H-1B?

Not exactly. The E-3 and the H-1B share a similar logic, but not the same procedure. In both cases, the employer must offer a wage consistent with what the market pays for that occupation, protecting both the worker and the local labor market.

With the H-1B, this requirement appears as the prevailing wage for the position. The E-3 also requires that compensation be aligned with industry standards, but that does not mean it follows the exact same level or the same determination process as the H-1B. Each visa has its own rules for demonstrating that the salary is adequate.

In practice, the key points for the E-3 are:

• The compensation must be consistent with market rates for the position.
• The employer must document that alignment.
• The criteria are not necessarily identical to those of the H-1B.

Since these parameters change over time, it is worth checking the updated requirements at the official source (USCIS) and confirming salary details with a specialist before submitting the offer.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.