SOC 19-2031 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Chemists H-1B wage levels in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $109,783. Level III starts at $94,079, Level II at $78,375 and Level I at $62,671.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Chemists in Buffalo, NY?
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 Chemists (SOC 19-2031) in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY wage area: Level I is $62,671 a year, Level II $78,375, Level III $94,079 and Level IV $109,783. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $109,783 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $62,671 up to $78,374 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Buffalo, NY has the #54 highest Level IV wage for this job, 1% below the median metro ($110,428). The same $78,375 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in Nashville, TN. 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 | $62,671 | $30.13 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $78,375 | $37.68 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $94,079 | $45.23 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $109,783 | $52.78 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Buffalo, NY
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $78,375 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other New York metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Chemists in Buffalo, NY?
At least $109,783 a year ($52.78/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 19-2031 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Erie County, NY; Niagara County, NY.
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.
Chemists wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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.