SOC 27-1024 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Graphic Designers H-1B wage levels in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $75,213. Level III starts at $64,730, Level II at $54,226 and Level I at $43,743.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Graphic Designers 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 Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024) in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY wage area: Level I is $43,743 a year, Level II $54,226, Level III $64,730 and Level IV $75,213. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $75,213 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $43,743 up to $54,225 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 #56 highest Level IV wage for this job, 2% below the median metro ($76,690). The same $54,226 offer that is Level II here reaches Level III in Oklahoma City, OK. 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 | $43,743 | $21.03 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $54,226 | $26.07 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $64,730 | $31.12 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $75,213 | $36.16 | 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 $54,226 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 Graphic Designers in Buffalo, NY?
At least $75,213 a year ($36.16/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 27-1024 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.
Graphic Designers 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.