SOC 15-1251 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Computer Programmers H-1B wage levels in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $151,840. Level III starts at $127,546, Level II at $103,231 and Level I at $78,936.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Computer Programmers in Washington, DC?
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 Programmers (SOC 15-1251) in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV wage area: Level I is $78,936 a year, Level II $103,231, Level III $127,546 and Level IV $151,840. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $151,840 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $78,936 up to $103,230 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Washington, DC has the #6 highest Level IV wage for this job, 27% above the median metro ($119,850). The same $103,231 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in Raleigh, NC. 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 | $78,936 | $37.95 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $103,231 | $49.63 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $127,546 | $61.32 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $151,840 | $73.00 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Washington, DC
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $103,231 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Computer Programmers in Washington, DC?
At least $151,840 a year ($73.00/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-1251 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Frederick County, MD; Montgomery County, MD; Prince George's County, MD; Alexandria city, VA; Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax city, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Falls Church city, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Fredericksburg city, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Manassas city, VA; Manassas Park city, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Jefferson County, WV.
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 Programmers wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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.