SOC 15-2051 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Data Scientists H-1B wage levels in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $122,180. Level III starts at $104,749, Level II at $87,319 and Level I at $69,888.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Data Scientists in Des Moines, 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 Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA wage area: Level I is $69,888 a year, Level II $87,319, Level III $104,749 and Level IV $122,180. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $122,180 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $69,888 up to $87,318 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Des Moines, IA has the #69 highest Level IV wage for this job, 7% below the median metro ($131,519). The same $87,319 offer that is Level II here reaches Level III 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 | $69,888 | $33.60 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $87,319 | $41.98 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $104,749 | $50.36 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $122,180 | $58.74 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Des Moines, IA
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $87,319 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 Data Scientists in Des Moines, IA?
At least $122,180 a year ($58.74/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-2051 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Dallas County, IA; Guthrie County, IA; Jasper County, IA; Madison County, IA; Polk County, IA; Warren 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.
Data Scientists wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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.