SOC 15-2051 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Data Scientists H-1B wage levels in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $152,964. Level III starts at $128,648, Level II at $104,312 and Level I at $79,997.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Data Scientists in Charlotte, NC?
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 Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC wage area: Level I is $79,997 a year, Level II $104,312, Level III $128,648 and Level IV $152,964. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $152,964 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $79,997 up to $104,311 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Charlotte, NC has the #20 highest Level IV wage for this job, 16% above the median metro ($131,519). The same $104,312 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in Iowa City, IA. 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 | $79,997 | $38.46 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $104,312 | $50.15 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $128,648 | $61.85 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $152,964 | $73.54 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Charlotte, NC
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $104,312 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other North Carolina metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Data Scientists in Charlotte, NC?
At least $152,964 a year ($73.54/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-2051 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Anson County, NC; Cabarrus County, NC; Gaston County, NC; Iredell County, NC; Lincoln County, NC; Mecklenburg County, NC; Rowan County, NC; Union County, NC; Chester County, SC; Lancaster County, SC; York County, SC.
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.
Data Scientists wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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.