SOC 15-1252 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Software Developers H-1B wage levels in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $179,130. Level III starts at $153,962, Level II at $128,773 and Level I at $103,605.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Software Developers in Portland, OR?
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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA wage area: Level I is $103,605 a year, Level II $128,773, Level III $153,962 and Level IV $179,130. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $179,130 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $103,605 up to $128,772 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Portland, OR has the #13 highest Level IV wage for this job, 19% above the median metro ($150,780). The same $128,773 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in College Station, TX. 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 | $103,605 | $49.81 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $128,773 | $61.91 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $153,962 | $74.02 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $179,130 | $86.12 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Portland, OR
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $128,773 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 Software Developers in Portland, OR?
At least $179,130 a year ($86.12/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-1252 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Clackamas County, OR; Columbia County, OR; Multnomah County, OR; Washington County, OR; Yamhill County, OR; Clark County, WA; Skamania County, WA.
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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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.