SOC 17-2041 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Chemical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $153,692. Level III starts at $135,762, Level II at $117,853 and Level I at $99,924.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Chemical Engineers in Portland, OR?
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 Chemical Engineers (SOC 17-2041) in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA wage area: Level I is $99,924 a year, Level II $117,853, Level III $135,762 and Level IV $153,692. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $153,692 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $99,924 up to $117,852 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Portland, OR has the #24 highest Level IV wage for this job, 10% above the median metro ($139,527). The same $117,853 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in Salt Lake City, UT. 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 | $99,924 | $48.04 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $117,853 | $56.66 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $135,762 | $65.27 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $153,692 | $73.89 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Portland, OR
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $117,853 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 Chemical Engineers in Portland, OR?
At least $153,692 a year ($73.89/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2041 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Clackamas County, OR; Columbia County, OR; Multnomah County, OR; Washington County, OR; Yamhill County, OR; Clark County, WA; Skamania County, WA.
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.
Chemical Engineers wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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.