SOC 15-1221 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Computer and Information Research Scientists H-1B wage levels in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $130,666. Level III starts at $116,688, Level II at $102,690 and Level I at $88,712.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Memphis, TN?
For the 2026–27 wage year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), the U.S. Department of Labor sets four H-1B prevailing wage levels for Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221) in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR wage area: Level I is $88,712 a year, Level II $102,690, Level III $116,688 and Level IV $130,666. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $130,666 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $88,712 up to $102,689 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Memphis, TN has the #87 highest Level IV wage for this job, 19% below the median metro ($160,535). The same $102,690 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in Lansing, MI. These figures apply to the FY 2028 registration in March 2027.
| Wage level | Annual salary at least | Hourly | Lottery entries | DHS projected odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | $88,712 | $42.65 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $102,690 | $49.37 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $116,688 | $56.10 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $130,666 | $62.82 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Memphis, TN
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
DOL marks this wage with GeoLvl 3: there were too few local survey responses, so the levels are borrowed from a wider geography. They are still the official numbers for this area.
Where a $102,690 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other Tennessee metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Memphis, TN?
At least $130,666 a year ($62.82/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-1221 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Crittenden County, AR; Benton County, MS; DeSoto County, MS; Marshall County, MS; Tate County, MS; Tunica County, MS; Fayette County, TN; Shelby County, TN; Tipton County, TN.
Do these numbers apply to the March 2027 registration?
Yes. The FY 2028 registration in March 2027 uses the wage year in effect then, July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Computer and Information Research Scientists wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Learn more: How to legitimately raise your wage level · Lottery level vs. LCA level · FY 2028 registration
Annual salary in U.S. dollars, rounded up. Source: DOL OFLC prevailing wage data, effective July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027, computed directly from the DOL file (methodology). Page updated 2026-10-14.