Question 1

What is the median H-1B salary at IBM?

Accepted Answer

IBM pays a median H-1B salary of $100,093 for sponsored positions, with an average of $108,405. The average prevailing wage across IBM's filings is $116,611. 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 IBM pay compared to the prevailing wage?

Accepted Answer

IBM's average offered wage is $108,405, compared to an average prevailing wage of $116,611 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
Application Developer	2,913	$48,500	$88,421	$203,137
Software Developer	1,384	$64,796	$107,328	$333,000
Software Engineer	826	$53,327	$92,529	$277,087
Managing Consultant	803	$69,514	$124,428	$220,320
Application Architect	706	$56,500	$108,743	$258,730
Package Consultant	691	$65,333	$104,416	$318,350
Test Specialist	556	$47,000	$75,982	$143,021
Project Manager	507	$58,885	$97,469	$202,428
It Specialist	427	$54,400	$81,058	$191,215
Senior Managing Consultant	411	$67,267	$160,000	$248,372
Senior Consultant	358	$50,440	$101,611	$175,134
Package Solution Consultant	344	$55,578	$100,267	$215,292
Data Engineer	329	$53,643	$97,926	$207,162
Technical Lead	316	$47,300	$83,824	$154,482
Data Scientist	263	$63,300	$108,400	$277,419
Application Consultant	232	$57,782	$106,465	$214,395
Research Staff Member	224	$74,443	$139,200	$270,000
Package Specialist	220	$67,995	$100,589	$176,638
Staff Software Engineer	214	$67,469	$96,522	$206,505
Senior Application Developer	193	$51,293	$81,679	$165,000

Location	Positions	Min	Median	Max
San Jose, California	1,148	$73,091	$127,254	$398,500
Durham, North Carolina	1,122	$59,500	$101,109	$259,816
Atlanta, Georgia	1,103	$56,196	$90,418	$230,004
Austin, Texas	869	$51,397	$102,274	$348,328
Dallas, Texas	802	$63,690	$88,137	$318,350
New York, New York	733	$54,766	$122,384	$380,000
Phoenix, Arizona	606	$61,152	$83,720	$280,000
Coppell, Texas	564	$62,100	$118,143	$313,645
Yorktown Heights, New York	506	$74,443	$136,600	$346,698
Houston, Texas	416	$64,605	$109,446	$229,468

IBM — H-1B Sponsored Salaries

IBM H-1B Salary Data

Salary Distribution (2025)

Salary by Job Title (2025)

Salary by Location (2025)

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