Title: DOL Proposes Major Prevailing Wage Increases for H-1B and PERM Visas in 2026
Summary: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a proposed rule that would significantly increase the prevailing wage minimums for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and PERM visa programs.
On March 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration published a proposed rule aimed at revising the methodology used to determine prevailing wage levels for certain employment-based visa programs. The new rule would utilize statistically grounded percentile thresholds derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey.
If implemented, this policy change would effectively raise the wage floor for foreign workers, particularly impacting entry-level positions and recent graduates in STEM fields. For instance, Level 1 entry-level wages could rise significantly from current benchmarks. The DOL stated that this modernization aims to protect the wages and job opportunities of American workers and ensure foreign workers are paid market value.
The proposed rule is currently open for public comment for 60 days following its publication in the Federal Register. While the rule is not yet final, employers relying on H-1B workers or navigating the PERM labor certification process should prepare for potential increases in labor costs. This development highlights the ongoing focus on tightening employment-based immigration policies and prioritizing the domestic workforce.