SOC 15-1253 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers H-1B wage levels in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $139,797. Level III starts at $117,292, Level II at $94,786 and Level I at $72,280.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in Boston, MA?
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH wage area: Level I is $72,280 a year, Level II $94,786, Level III $117,292 and Level IV $139,797. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $139,797 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $72,280 up to $94,785 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Boston, MA has the #16 highest Level IV wage for this job, 18% above the median metro ($118,560). The same $94,786 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 | $72,280 | $34.75 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $94,786 | $45.57 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $117,292 | $56.39 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $139,797 | $67.21 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Boston, MA
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $94,786 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other Massachusetts metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in Boston, MA?
At least $139,797 a year ($67.21/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-1253 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Essex County, MA; Middlesex County, MA; Norfolk County, MA; Plymouth County, MA; Suffolk County, MA; Rockingham County, NH; Strafford County, NH.
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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.