TheNewMinds
SOC 23-1011

H-1B Salary for Attorney / Lawyer (2026)

Foreign-trained lawyers usually need a U.S. LLM and bar admission; many BigLaw firms regularly sponsor H-1B.

DOL prevailing wage levels (annual, USD)
Level 1 (entry)
$95,000
Level 2
$130,000
Level 3
$165,000
Level 4 (senior)
$200,000
National median for Attorney / Lawyer on certified H-1B LCAs: $150,000

What employers must pay

H-1B employers must pay the higher of the actual wage paid to similar workers OR the prevailing wage published by the Department of Labor for the same occupation and area of intended employment. Wages below the applicable level put both the petition and the employer's H-1B program at risk.

Top H-1B sponsors for Attorney / Lawyer

  • Latham & Watkins
  • Skadden
  • Kirkland & Ellis
  • Sidley Austin
  • Davis Polk

How wage levels are set

DOL determines prevailing wages from OES survey data. Level 1 covers workers at the bottom third of typical wages who perform routine tasks. Level 4 covers fully competent workers performing the most complex duties without supervision. Geographic location matters — Bay Area and NYC wages can run 30–50% higher than the national median.

Salary calibration tips

  • Use the FLAG OFLC Wage Search Tool for the exact MSA and SOC code
  • If the offered salary falls below Level 4, expect tougher RFE scrutiny
  • Petitions that pay Level 4 wages are virtually never denied for wage reasons
  • Consider negotiation: stipends, RSUs and signing bonuses don't count toward prevailing wage compliance, only base salary does

Salary data based on Department of Labor OFLC LCA disclosures for FY2024 (rounded). Actual offers vary by location, employer, experience and total compensation package.