The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released its updated prevailing wage data for Wage Year 2026–2027, with the new wage rates taking effect on July 1, 2026. The updated wages will affect many employers filing H-1B petitions, PERM labor certification applications, and other employment-based immigration cases that require prevailing wage determinations.
According to an analysis of the new wage data, prevailing wages increased across approximately 74% of occupations nationwide, with a median increase of 3.3%. While annual adjustments are expected, employers should review the updated wage levels before filing any new employment-based immigration petitions.
What Is a Prevailing Wage?
A prevailing wage is the minimum wage that an employer must generally offer when sponsoring a foreign worker under certain U.S. immigration programs, including:
- H-1B specialty occupation visas
- PERM labor certification applications
- Certain employment-based green card cases
Each year, the Department of Labor updates prevailing wages using federal occupational employment data to reflect changes in local labor markets across occupations and geographic areas.
Most Occupations Experienced Wage Increases
The analysis compared approximately 179,000 occupation-by-metropolitan area wage combinations between Wage Year 2025 – 2026 and 2026 – 2027.
The findings include:
- Approximately 74% of occupations experienced an increase in prevailing wages.
- The median nationwide increase was 3.3%.
- Computer, healthcare, legal, science, arts, and media occupations generally experienced some of the largest increases.
- Agricultural and protective service occupations saw comparatively smaller changes.
Among the largest median increases by occupational group were:
- Life, Physical & Social Science: +5.2%
- Legal Occupations: +5.2%
- Arts, Design & Media: +5.1%
- Healthcare Practitioners: +4.0%
- Computer & Mathematical Occupations: +3.4%
Technology Wages Continue to Rise in Most Major Markets
Many of the country’s largest technology markets saw prevailing wages increase across key occupations.
Examples include:
| Metro Area | Software Developers | Data Scientists | Engineers (Average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | +3.0% | +6.2% | +3.0% |
| Los Angeles | +2.9% | +4.7% | +3.7% |
| New York | +3.0% | +3.5% | +1.9% |
| Boston | +4.9% | -0.8% | +0.3% |
| Austin | +3.0% | +1.6% | +1.6% |
| Dallas | +2.7% | +3.4% | +4.7% |
Santa Clara Was the Exception
One notable exception was Santa Clara (San Jose), California.
Unlike most major metropolitan areas:
- Software Developer prevailing wages decreased by 2.1%.
- Data Scientist prevailing wages decreased by 5.7%.
Despite these declines, Santa Clara continues to have some of the highest prevailing wage levels in the country for technology occupations. The decreases likely reflect normalization within an already exceptionally high-paying market rather than a significant decline in demand for technology professionals.
What Should Employers Do Before Filing?
Because the updated wage data is now in effect, employers planning employment-based immigration filings should review salary levels before submitting applications.
This is particularly important for:
- New H-1B petitions
- PERM labor certification filings
- New Labor Condition Applications (LCAs)
- Employment-based cases requiring updated prevailing wage determinations
Even relatively modest wage increases may affect whether a position satisfies the required prevailing wage.
Practical Considerations
If you’re preparing:
An H-1B Petition
Review the updated prevailing wage before submitting the Labor Condition Application (LCA).
A PERM Labor Certification
Confirm that the offered salary still meets or exceeds the updated prevailing wage before beginning recruitment or filing the application.
An Existing Employee’s Extension
Many current employees will not require immediate changes unless a new filing or wage determination is necessary.
Review Significant Wage Changes Carefully
The analysis also identified several occupations and geographic areas with unusually large increases or decreases.
These fluctuations may reflect:
- Small occupational survey samples
- Statistical reporting variations
- Occupational classification changes
Rather than assuming local labor market conditions have dramatically shifted, employers should carefully review these cases individually before filing.
Final Thoughts
The Department of Labor’s updated prevailing wage data serves as an important reminder for employers sponsoring foreign workers. Although many wage increases are relatively modest, even small changes can impact H-1B and PERM eligibility. Employers planning immigration filings during Wage Year 2026 – 2027 should verify the applicable prevailing wage early in the process to avoid delays, ensure compliance, and minimize the need for last-minute salary adjustments.
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor – OFLC Wage Year 2026–2027 Wage Data
- U.S. Department of Labor – Technical Release Notes for Wage Year 2026–2027
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If you have questions regarding U.S. Immigration, we invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Please read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
REBECCA KROLL is an Associate Attorney at Richards and Jurusik who practices exclusively in U.S. immigration law, focusing on both business and family-based immigration. She assists clients with employment-based visas, marriage and family cases, and the U.S. citizenship process. (Full Bio)
