The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) updated Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) prevailing wage data for the 2026-27 wage year. The new data went into effect on July 1, 2026, and the National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) rely on it for prevailing wage determinations through June 30, 2027.
Important Changes
The annual OEWS update sets the prevailing wage data that the NPWC uses to issue determinations across a range of employment-based immigration processes. The updated figures may affect employers seeking prevailing wage determinations for:
- Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) applications.
- Certain H-1B filings, H-1B1 filings, and E-3 applications.
- Other employment-based immigration processes that rely on prevailing wage determinations.
Employers should review the updated wage data now to gauge its impact on current and future immigration sponsorship strategies.
Why It Matters
The annual OEWS update can shift prevailing wage levels for specific job positions, which in turn affects employment-based immigration filings. Areas to watch include:
- Future PERM labor certification cases.
- Prevailing wage requests.
- Workforce planning initiatives.
- Compensation budgeting for sponsored employees.
- Long-term immigration sponsorship strategies.
Employers and applicants should confirm they are working from the most current wage data and occupational classifications before filing.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.