SOC 19-2031 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Chemists H-1B wage levels in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $111,176. Level III starts at $96,554, Level II at $81,911 and Level I at $67,288.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Chemists in Des Moines, IA?
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA wage area: Level I is $67,288 a year, Level II $81,911, Level III $96,554 and Level IV $111,176. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $111,176 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $67,288 up to $81,910 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Des Moines, IA has the #48 highest Level IV wage for this job, 1% above the median metro ($110,428). The same $81,911 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 | $67,288 | $32.35 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $81,911 | $39.38 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $96,554 | $46.42 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $111,176 | $53.45 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Des Moines, IA
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $81,911 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other Iowa metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Chemists in Des Moines, IA?
At least $111,176 a year ($53.45/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 19-2031 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Dallas County, IA; Guthrie County, IA; Jasper County, IA; Madison County, IA; Polk County, IA; Warren County, IA.
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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.