The below dashboard was created using data from the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) Data Center for July 2023 - June 2024. The OFLC releases prevailing wage data on a yearly basis, usually in July. The prevailing wage is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in an area of intended employment and is the mandatory wage for all LCA applications.
How to use the dashboard
There are two pages on the dashboard. One for ALC (Average Labor Compensation) and one for EDC (Earned Disposable Income). For most applications, ALC should be used, unless the role is designated as part of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA). Check here for more information on ALC vs. EDC.
The dashboard includes some of the commonly used filters on the OFLC online wage library. You can use the dashboard to get more insight into what the wage has to be for certain occupations. The dashboard includes associated Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes and titles for each case role as well as a description of the role. You should always narrow your search by states/area first as wages may differ greatly based on the area (eg. California wages vs. Ohio Wages).
The dashboard includes a scrollable table with filters for each column. The table also has multiple pages that can be accessed by clicking the arrows in the bottom right corner. To access more rows, you can hover your mouse over the table and scroll. For a full list of the filter meanings, please see the bottom of this page, under the dashboard.
Note: For the best experience, please access the website on a large screen, such as a desktop.
Column/Filter Description
Area. The assigned area code for the state and county for the data.
SocCode. The associated standard occupational classification codes for the data presented.
SocTitle. The associated standard occupational classification job title for the data presented.
SOCDefinition. The associated standard occupational classification job description for the data presented.
Wage Levels. Note. To convert from hourly to yearly wage, multiply the hourly wage by 2080 hours.
Level 1 (entry) wage rates are assigned to job offers for beginning level employees who have only a basic understanding of the occupation. These employees perform routine tasks that require limited, if any, exercise of judgment. The tasks provide experience and familiarization with the employer’s methods, practices, and programs. The employees may perform higher level work for training and developmental purposes. These employees work under close supervision and receive specific instructions on required tasks and results expected. Their work is closely monitored and reviewed for accuracy. Statements that the job offer is for a research fellow, a worker in training, or an internship are indicators that a Level I wage should be considered.
Level 2 (qualified) wage rates are assigned to job offers for qualified employees who have attained, either through education or experience, a good understanding of the occupation. They perform moderately complex tasks that require limited judgment. An indicator that the job request warrants a wage determination at Level II would be a requirement for years of education and/or experience that are generally required as described in the O*NET Job Zones.
Level 3 (experienced) wage rates are assigned to job offers for experienced employees who have a sound understanding of the occupation and have attained, either through education or experience, special skills or knowledge. They perform tasks that require exercising judgment and may coordinate the activities of other staff. They may have supervisory authority over those staff. A requirement for years of experience or educational degrees that are at the higher ranges indicated in the O*NET Job Zones would be indicators that a Level III wage should be considered. Frequently, key words in the job title can be used as indicators that an employer’s job offer is for an experienced worker. Words such as ‘lead’ (lead analyst), ‘senior’ (senior programmer), ‘head’ (head nurse), ‘chief’ (crew chief), or ‘journeyman’ (journeyman plumber) would be indicators that a Level III wage should be considered.
Level IV (fully competent) wage rates are assigned to job offers for competent employees who have sufficient experience in the occupation to plan and conduct work requiring judgment and the independent evaluation, selection, modification, and application of standard procedures and techniques. Such employees use advanced skills and diversified knowledge to solve unusual and complex problems. These employees receive only technical guidance and their work is reviewed only for application of sound judgment and effectiveness in meeting the establishment’s procedures and expectations. They generally have management and/or supervisory responsibilities.
DOL_Training_Explanation.
One: Professional Degree Completion of the academic program usually requires at least 6 years of full-time equivalent academic study, including college study prior to entering the professional degree program.
Two: Doctoral Degree Completion of the degree program usually requires at least 3 years of full-time equivalent academic work beyond the bachelor's degree.
Three: Master's Degree Completion of the degree program usually requires 1 or 2 years of full-time equivalent study beyond the bachelor's degree.
Four: Bachelor's Degree Completion of the degree program generally requires at least 4 years but not more than 5 years of full-time equivalent academic work.
Five: Associate's Degree Completion of this degree usually requires at least 2 years but not more than 4 years of full-time academic study beyond high school.
Six: High School Diploma or equivalent This category indicates the completion of high school or an equivalent program resulting in the award of a high school diploma or an equivalent, such as the General Education Development (GED) credential.
NA: No Education and Training Code Set
State. The state for the associated wage data.
CountyTownName. The county for the associated wage data.
GeoLvl.
If the data used to calculate the wage estimate came from the actual MSA or BOS area the GeoLevel code will equal"1"
If there were no releasable estimates for the desired area then the wages area for the area indicated plus its contihuous areas. This is signified by a GeoLevel "2".
If there was no releasable estimates for the area, or for the area plus contiguous areas the wage is calculated from statewide data, indicated by a GeoLevel equaling "3".
Finally, if there is no releasable estimate for the state, the national average is used. This is indicated by Geolevel "4".
Job_Zone.
JobZone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience: Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
Education: Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
Examples: These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include counter and rental clerks, dishwashers, sewing machine operators, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, logging equipment operators, and baristas.
SVP Range: Below 4.0
JobZone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples: These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, forest firefighters, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
SVP Range: 4.0 to < 6.0
JobZone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam in order to perform the job.
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples: These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
SVP Range: 6.0 < 7.0
JobZone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Examples: Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
SVP Range: 7.0 < 8.0
JobZone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a masters degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Examples: These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, surgeons, and veterinarians.
SVP Range: 8.0 and above
JobZone Not Available
Some occupations do not have a JobZone designation. The most common reason for this is that the occupation is a broad occupation that O*NET has broken out into more detailed occupations. Another reason may be that the duties and requirements of the occupation are too broad or detailed to fit in one primary Job Zone.