Question 1

What is the median H-1B salary at The University of Southern California?

Accepted Answer

The University of Southern California pays a median H-1B salary of $70,450 for sponsored positions, with an average of $84,192. The average prevailing wage across The University of Southern California's filings is $69,116. 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 The University of Southern California pay compared to the prevailing wage?

Accepted Answer

The University of Southern California's average offered wage is $84,192, compared to an average prevailing wage of $69,116 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 Associate	169	$43,742	$60,590	$120,000
Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate	149	$42,245	$60,000	$88,982
Assistant Professor	141	$52,570	$101,203	$260,000
Lecturer	45	$51,150	$62,870	$94,159
Research Scientist	26	$43,742	$82,410	$145,000
Assistant Professor Of Research	26	$43,742	$60,849	$120,000
Programmer Analyst Ii	26	$47,611	$72,436	$94,910
Senior Research Associate	24	$53,206	$85,571	$110,316
Research Assistant Professor	23	$52,580	$81,162	$197,222
Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate	21	$43,742	$54,704	$77,459
Postdoctoral Scholar Teaching Fellow	20	$51,917	$66,560	$699,997
Statistician I	18	$44,470	$61,274	$78,670
Computer Scientist	18	$55,349	$110,004	$140,004
Postdoctoral Research Associate	18	$36,317	$51,990	$80,850
Project Specialist	18	$39,416	$53,105	$71,635
Research Programmer Ii	15	$61,755	$91,947	$102,564
Research Lab Specialist	15	$51,000	$63,559	$87,975
Programmer Analyst Iii	14	$62,504	$81,370	$109,928
Research Programmer I	12	$43,347	$66,425	$103,448
Assistant Professor Of Clinical Pediatrics	11	$67,840	$145,000	$172,342

Location	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Los Angeles, California	1,278	$34,590	$69,850	$1,184,724
Marina Del Rey, California	54	$48,277	$80,632	$153,000
San Diego, California	51	$44,470	$73,570	$120,686
Playa Vista, California	28	$30,000	$85,130	$197,222
Alhambra, California	7	$61,984	$95,202	$128,856
Waltham, Massachusetts	2	$81,515	$89,014	$96,512
Arlington, Virginia	2	$79,456	$87,308	$95,160
San Jose, California	2	$61,339	$66,487	$71,635
Cambridge, Massachusetts	2	$44,283	$52,146	$60,008
Leander, Texas	1	$123,864	$123,864	$123,864

The University of Southern California — H-1B Sponsored Salaries

The University of Southern California H1B Salaries

Salary Distribution (2025)

Salary by Job Title (2025)

Salary by Location (2025)

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