Question 1

What is the median H-1B salary at Harvard University?

Accepted Answer

Harvard University pays a median H-1B salary of $70,980 for sponsored positions, with an average of $89,233. The average prevailing wage across Harvard University's filings is $60,400. These figures are based on Labor Condition Application filings with the Department of Labor.

Question 2

What is a prevailing wage determination?

Accepted Answer

A prevailing wage determination (PWD) is a wage rate set by the Department of Labor for a specific occupation and geographic area. Before filing an LCA, employers request a PWD from the DOL, which surveys wage data to determine what workers in similar roles are typically paid in that location. H-1B employers must pay at least the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to other employees in the same role, whichever is higher. The prevailing wage column in the table above shows the DOL-determined floor for each position.

Question 3

How does Harvard University pay compared to the prevailing wage?

Accepted Answer

Harvard University's average offered wage is $89,233, compared to an average prevailing wage of $60,400 across its filings. When a company pays above the prevailing wage, it indicates the offered salary exceeds the DOL-determined market rate for the occupation and area. The salary table above shows both the offered and prevailing wages for each individual filing.

Question 4

What are H-1B wage levels I through IV?

Accepted Answer

The DOL sets prevailing wages at four levels: Level I (Entry) at the 17th percentile, Level II (Qualified) at the 34th percentile, Level III (Experienced) at the 50th percentile, and Level IV (Expert) at the 67th percentile. These levels reflect the complexity of the job duties and experience required. The prevailing wage is specific to each occupation (SOC code) and metropolitan statistical area. Higher wage levels indicate more senior positions.

Question 5

What is the H-1B salary requirement?

Accepted Answer

There is no single minimum salary for H-1B visas. Employers must pay the higher of the actual wage (what they pay other employees in the same role) or the prevailing wage determined by the DOL for the specific occupation and geographic area. The prevailing wage varies by job, location, and wage level. A Level I software engineer in a small metro area will have a very different floor than a Level IV software engineer in San Francisco or New York.

Job Title	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Research Fellow	478	$42,000	$60,170	$175,000
Research Associate	439	$42,931	$73,000	$140,000
Postdoctoral Fellow	393	$41,364	$63,000	$107,000
Assistant Professor	236	$75,000	$135,000	$357,200
Postdoctoral Research Fellow	64	$44,556	$65,356	$155,959
Instructor	47	$64,008	$105,310	$549,328
Research Scientist	39	$65,292	$98,906	$165,123
Preceptor	35	$52,300	$70,300	$205,712
Lecturer	33	$47,834	$90,000	$158,000
Fellow	29	$44,221	$70,000	$120,315
Professor	21	$158,600	$270,530	$317,800
Growth Lab Research Fellow	11	$70,000	$89,610	$150,000
Associate	10	$54,000	$67,475	$96,034
Associate Professor	9	$109,273	$135,000	$180,642
Institute Fellow	8	$47,476	$57,866	$65,000
Senior Preceptor	6	$77,300	$92,238	$97,400
Visiting Scientist	6	$47,476	$51,210	$102,648
Growth Lab Fellow	6	$70,000	$73,000	$87,000
Senior Research Scientist	6	$134,971	$157,600	$240,000
Preceptor In Japanese	5	$53,900	$57,900	$77,220

Location	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Boston, Massachusetts	1,022	$42,000	$71,802	$535,910
Cambridge, Massachusetts	963	$41,364	$70,304	$560,997
Allston, Massachusetts	35	$52,000	$85,530	$205,712
West Roxbury, Massachusetts	3	$54,000	$61,000	$61,000
Ma, Massachusetts	3	$54,540	$56,000	$71,750
Palo Alto, California	2	$90,000	$97,052	$104,104
Tracy, California	2	$135,000	$140,877	$146,754
Stanford, California	1	$76,000	$76,000	$76,000
Walnut Creek, California	1	$67,600	$67,600	$67,600
Cambrigde, Massachusetts	1	$59,784	$59,784	$59,784

Harvard University — H-1B Sponsored Salaries

Harvard University H1B Salaries

Salary Distribution (2026)

Salary by Job Title (2026)

Salary by Location (2026)

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