My salary is US$ 200k and the industry average is US$ 80k. Does that meet the high salary criterion for EB-1A?

Yes, earning well above the average in your field is precisely the kind of evidence that EB-1A recognizes. The extraordinary ability category treats high compensation relative to your field as a signal that the market places exceptional value on your work.

What matters under this criterion is the comparison, not an absolute figure: the point is to show that your compensation stands out against what is typical for your role, region, and level. A meaningful gap between your salary and the industry average helps support that argument, provided you back the comparison with credible sources.

• Document your compensation with contracts, pay stubs, offer letters, or tax records.
• Support the industry average with recognized salary survey sources, not loose estimates.
• Treat salary as one of several criteria: EB-1A requires a body of evidence, not a single indicator.

A salary well above your field’s average does count in your favor, but the ideal approach is to combine it with other evidence of distinction and assess the full picture with a specialist, checking the most current requirements at the official source (USCIS).

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.