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How is the salary of employees required by EB-5 calculated?

In EB-5, the salary of jobs created does not follow a fixed formula: it tracks U.S. labor laws and the prevailing wage for the role and region. Learn how to plan this safely.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 21, 2026
1 min read
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In EB-5 there is no single formula for calculating the salary of the jobs the investment must create. Compensation must follow two axes: the labor laws of the United States and the prevailing wage for the same role in the project’s region.

The prevailing wage acts as a reference floor, determined from official local labor market data. It ensures that the pay offered aligns with what is customarily paid for that position in that area.

That is why setting salaries in an EB-5 project business plan is less a straightforward calculation and more an analysis: researching labor market indicators, studying local market conditions, and verifying that each position receives compensation appropriate to the role and location.

  • No fixed formula: the amount depends on the role, the sector, and the region.
  • Central reference: the prevailing wage concept, based on official data.
  • Labor foundation: compliance with U.S. labor laws.

Because salary parameters and job-creation criteria are evaluated case by case and change over time, it is worth confirming the current rules with USCIS and supporting the business plan with specialized professionals before investing.

Learn more about EB-5

Type
Investment Green Card
Min. investment
US$ 800,000
Jobs created
Minimum 10 (full-time)
Processing
24-48 months
All about EB-5

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.

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How is the salary of employees required by EB-5 calculated?

In EB-5, the salary of jobs created does not follow a fixed formula: it tracks U.S. labor laws and the prevailing wage for the role and region. Learn how to plan this safely.

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