Question 1

What is the median H-1B salary at UW-Madison?

Accepted Answer

UW-Madison pays a median H-1B salary of $70,946 for sponsored positions, with an average of $82,909. The average prevailing wage across UW-Madison's filings is $58,003. 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 UW-Madison pay compared to the prevailing wage?

Accepted Answer

UW-Madison's average offered wage is $82,909, compared to an average prevailing wage of $58,003 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 Professor	544	$51,000	$102,000	$2,321,826
Research Associate-Postdegree Trainee	236	$47,476	$56,426	$99,000
Scientist I	218	$47,133	$67,313	$108,160
Assistant Scientist	95	$47,500	$62,000	$97,157
Scientist Ii	62	$60,000	$78,551	$108,573
Lecturer	55	$42,410	$60,423	$87,750
Research Specialist	43	$40,000	$48,381	$57,222
Researcher I	41	$50,000	$60,029	$80,000
Research Associate - Postdegree Trainee	28	$47,500	$60,000	$80,784
Clinical Assistant Professor	23	$61,447	$120,000	$179,653
Researcher Ii	23	$60,000	$70,000	$85,257
Associate Professor	23	$57,895	$90,743	$324,000
Visiting Assistant Professor	18	$56,000	$63,700	$86,190
Scientist Iii	18	$67,115	$94,647	$142,800
Assistant Professor (Chs)	15	$60,987	$69,231	$200,000
Teaching Faculty Ii	14	$70,165	$76,168	$142,457
Associate Research Specialist	13	$32,369	$36,280	$53,295
Teaching Faculty I	13	$58,390	$84,690	$105,000
Research Associate-Post Degree Trainee	12	$47,500	$51,324	$60,000
Assistant Researcher	11	$44,034	$56,767	$75,000

Location	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Madison, Wisconsin	1,416	$32,318	$69,285	$390,000
Milwaukee, Wisconsin	63	$52,010	$83,232	$2,321,826
La Crosse, Wisconsin	50	$51,030	$66,635	$135,380
Platteville, Wisconsin	38	$48,000	$75,000	$91,980
Menomonie, Wisconsin	36	$47,216	$67,310	$94,000
Green Bay, Wisconsin	35	$52,020	$82,000	$140,000
Eau Claire, Wisconsin	28	$60,000	$98,942	$146,345
River Falls, Wisconsin	23	$60,240	$79,000	$134,159
Kenosha, Wisconsin	14	$56,100	$90,507	$137,904
Superior, Wisconsin	13	$51,000	$93,000	$107,500

UW-Madison — H-1B Sponsored Salaries

UW-Madison H1B Salaries

Salary Distribution (2026)

Salary by Job Title (2026)

Salary by Location (2026)

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