SOC 19-1029 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Biological Scientists, All Other H-1B wage levels in State College, PA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $105,186. Level III starts at $95,368, Level II at $85,530 and Level I at $75,712.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Biological Scientists, All Other in State College, PA?
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 Biological Scientists, All Other (SOC 19-1029) in the State College, PA wage area: Level I is $75,712 a year, Level II $85,530, Level III $95,368 and Level IV $105,186. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $105,186 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $75,712 up to $85,529 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, State College, PA has the #63 highest Level IV wage for this job, 5% below the median metro ($110,823). The same $85,530 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV 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 | $75,712 | $36.40 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $85,530 | $41.12 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $95,368 | $45.85 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $105,186 | $50.57 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in State College, PA
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $85,530 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other Pennsylvania metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Biological Scientists, All Other in State College, PA?
At least $105,186 a year ($50.57/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 19-1029 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Centre County, PA.
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.
Biological Scientists, All Other wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in State College, PA
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.