SOC 15-2051 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Data Scientists H-1B wage levels in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $146,079. Level III starts at $119,413, Level II at $92,727 and Level I at $66,061.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Data Scientists in Durham, 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC wage area: Level I is $66,061 a year, Level II $92,727, Level III $119,413 and Level IV $146,079. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $146,079 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $66,061 up to $92,726 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Durham, NC has the #26 highest Level IV wage for this job, 11% above the median metro ($131,519). The same $92,727 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 | $66,061 | $31.76 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $92,727 | $44.58 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $119,413 | $57.41 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $146,079 | $70.23 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Durham, NC
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $92,727 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 Durham, NC?
At least $146,079 a year ($70.23/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-2051 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Chatham County, NC; Durham County, NC; Orange County, NC; Person County, NC.
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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.