Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

University of California pays a median H-1B salary of $82,000 for sponsored positions, with an average of $84,856. The average prevailing wage across University of California's filings is $67,084. 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 University of California pay compared to the prevailing wage?

Accepted Answer

University of California's average offered wage is $84,856, compared to an average prevailing wage of $67,084 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
Assistant Cooperative Extension Advisor	36	$73,700	$92,700	$109,100
Assistant Project Scientist	10	$63,100	$74,100	$82,900
Postdoctoral Scholar	5	$64,480	$66,950	$77,327
Postdoctoral-Employee	4	$72,051	$74,289	$74,425
Assistant Professor	4	$105,500	$115,350	$143,900
Associated Specialist	3	$73,000	$76,500	$79,200
Post-Doc Employee	3	$66,737	$66,737	$71,769
Assistant Researcher	3	$91,200	$91,200	$91,200
Associate Specialist	3	$74,800	$79,200	$79,200
Academic Coordinator Ii	2	$89,467	$98,615	$107,763
Academic Coordinator I	2	$62,213	$63,644	$65,075
Academic Coordinator	2	$82,178	$86,243	$90,307
Postdoc-Employee	2	$74,425	$74,425	$74,425
Specialist In The Cooperative Extension	1	$123,000	$123,000	$123,000
Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist	1	$93,800	$93,800	$93,800
Assistant Project Scientist	1	$75,800	$75,800	$75,800
Assistant Specialist	1	$68,300	$68,300	$68,300
Assistant Specialist	1	$65,900	$65,900	$65,900
Associate Cooperative Extension Advisor	1	$85,300	$85,300	$85,300
Postdoctoral Scholar -Employee	1	$71,769	$71,769	$71,769

Location	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Riverside, California	34	$64,700	$74,425	$143,900
Merced, California	8	$62,213	$71,050	$90,900
Parlier, California	5	$75,800	$93,800	$100,000
Tulare, California	4	$82,000	$84,600	$100,000
Bakersfield, California	4	$80,000	$88,800	$95,900
Modesto, California	3	$79,200	$79,200	$86,600
Santa Cruz, California	2	$102,600	$112,800	$123,000
Davis, California	2	$82,178	$82,539	$82,900
Ukiah, California	2	$92,900	$94,400	$95,900
Holtville, California	2	$83,000	$90,700	$98,400

University of California — H-1B Sponsored Salaries

University of California H1B Salaries

Salary Distribution (2026)

Salary by Job Title (2026)

Salary by Location (2026)

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