SOC 17-2071 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Electrical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Richmond, VA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $134,140. Level III starts at $117,874, Level II at $101,629 and Level I at $85,364.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Electrical Engineers in Richmond, VA?
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 Electrical Engineers (SOC 17-2071) in the Richmond, VA wage area: Level I is $85,364 a year, Level II $101,629, Level III $117,874 and Level IV $134,140. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $134,140 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $85,364 up to $101,628 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Richmond, VA has the #53 highest Level IV wage for this job. The same $101,629 offer that is Level II here reaches Level III in Fayetteville, AR. 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 | $85,364 | $41.04 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $101,629 | $48.86 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $117,874 | $56.67 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $134,140 | $64.49 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Richmond, VA
Thresholds here sit at the major-metro median.
Where a $101,629 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 Electrical Engineers in Richmond, VA?
At least $134,140 a year ($64.49/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2071 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Amelia County, VA; Charles City County, VA; Chesterfield County, VA; Colonial Heights city, VA; Dinwiddie County, VA; Goochland County, VA; Hanover County, VA; Henrico County, VA; Hopewell city, VA; King and Queen County, VA; King William County, VA; New Kent County, VA; Petersburg city, VA; Powhatan County, VA; Prince George County, VA; Richmond city, VA; Sussex County, VA.
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.
Electrical Engineers wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Richmond, VA
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.