SOC 15-1253 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers H-1B wage levels in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $123,511. Level III starts at $107,141, Level II at $90,751 and Level I at $74,381.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in Atlanta, GA?
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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (SOC 15-1253) in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA wage area: Level I is $74,381 a year, Level II $90,751, Level III $107,141 and Level IV $123,511. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $123,511 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $74,381 up to $90,750 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Atlanta, GA has the #38 highest Level IV wage for this job, 4% above the median metro ($118,560). The same $90,751 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in New Orleans, LA. 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 | $74,381 | $35.76 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $90,751 | $43.63 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $107,141 | $51.51 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $123,511 | $59.38 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Atlanta, GA
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $90,751 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in Atlanta, GA?
At least $123,511 a year ($59.38/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-1253 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Barrow County, GA; Bartow County, GA; Butts County, GA; Carroll County, GA; Cherokee County, GA; Clayton County, GA; Cobb County, GA; Coweta County, GA; Dawson County, GA; DeKalb County, GA; Douglas County, GA; Fayette County, GA; Forsyth County, GA; Fulton County, GA; Gwinnett County, GA; Haralson County, GA; Heard County, GA; Henry County, GA; Jasper County, GA; Lumpkin County, GA; Meriwether County, GA; Morgan County, GA; Newton County, GA; Paulding County, GA; Pickens County, GA; Pike County, GA; Rockdale County, GA; Spalding County, GA; Walton County, GA.
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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
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.