SOC 15-1252 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Software Developers H-1B wage levels in Ames, IA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $147,701. Level III starts at $126,402, Level II at $105,082 and Level I at $83,783.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Software Developers in Ames, IA?
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 Software Developers (SOC 15-1252) in the Ames, IA wage area: Level I is $83,783 a year, Level II $105,082, Level III $126,402 and Level IV $147,701. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $147,701 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $83,783 up to $105,081 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Ames, IA has the #61 highest Level IV wage for this job, 2% below the median metro ($150,780). The same $105,082 offer that is Level II here reaches Level III 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 | $83,783 | $40.28 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $105,082 | $50.52 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $126,402 | $60.77 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $147,701 | $71.01 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Ames, IA
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $105,082 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other Iowa metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Software Developers in Ames, IA?
At least $147,701 a year ($71.01/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-1252 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Boone County, IA; Story County, IA.
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.
Software Developers wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Ames, IA
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.