What is ‘wage level 2 or 3’?

In the context of H-1B petitions, the terms wage level 2 and wage level 3 come from the prevailing wage scale established by the U.S. Department of Labor. This scale exists to ensure that hiring a foreign professional does not undercut the working conditions of domestic workers, setting a wage floor consistent with the role.

The levels work as a graduated scale: the greater the experience required, the autonomy, and the responsibility of the position, the higher the applicable level. In general terms, level 2 typically corresponds to roles that already require intermediate experience, while level 3 is associated with more senior positions that call for specialized skills and greater autonomy.

• The scale reflects the experience, complexity, and responsibility of the role.
• The level applied must be consistent with the actual job description.
• The classification follows the rules and guidelines of the Department of Labor.

Since the correct classification depends on the specifics of each position and the official tables, it is worth confirming the current parameters with the Department of Labor or with a specialist when defining the level for a job offer.

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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.