Question 1

What is the median H-1B salary at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory?

Accepted Answer

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory pays a median H-1B salary of $92,956 for sponsored positions, with an average of $99,056. The average prevailing wage across Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's filings is $73,405. 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 Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory pay compared to the prevailing wage?

Accepted Answer

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's average offered wage is $99,056, compared to an average prevailing wage of $73,405 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
Astrophysicist	19	$73,884	$97,671	$125,322
Astronomer	11	$67,643	$82,721	$121,159
Physicist	11	$66,317	$82,721	$103,337
It Specialist (Appsw)	4	$94,520	$96,096	$97,671
Investment Analyst	3	$100,035	$100,035	$100,035
Deputy Director	2	$141,022	$170,226	$199,430
Museum Specialist	2	$70,685	$84,943	$99,200
Research Biologist	2	$74,584	$106,990	$139,395
It Specialist (Application Software)	2	$89,527	$92,706	$95,884
Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow)	2	$71,987	$76,158	$80,328
Museum Curator (Art)	2	$82,764	$83,683	$84,601
Education Specialist	2	$54,576	$54,576	$54,576
Visual Information Specialist (Exhibitions/Graphic Designer)	2	$69,923	$69,923	$69,923
It Specialist ( Appsw)	1	$127,874	$127,874	$127,874
It Specialist (Appsw( (Inet)	1	$94,590	$94,590	$94,590
Mechanical Engineer	1	$96,411	$96,411	$96,411
Museum Curator	1	$112,015	$112,015	$112,015
Post Doctoral Fellow	1	$71,452	$71,452	$71,452
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow	1	$82,017	$82,017	$82,017
Postdoctoral Research Fellow	1	$82,764	$82,764	$82,764

Location	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Cambridge, Massachusetts	52	$63,705	$94,520	$216,000
Washington, District of Columbia	20	$55,000	$99,618	$300,000
Amado, Arizona	5	$73,884	$87,940	$125,133
New York, New York	3	$54,576	$54,576	$63,609
Edgewater, Maryland	3	$71,452	$74,584	$82,017
Front Royal, Virginia	3	$82,764	$121,485	$139,395
Hillcrest Heights, Maryland	1	$70,685	$70,685	$70,685
Massachusetts	1	$88,237	$88,237	$88,237

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory — H-1B Sponsored Salaries

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory H1B Salaries

Salary Distribution (2025)

Salary by Job Title (2025)

Salary by Location (2025)

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