H-1B Minimum Salary Requirement & Highest Pay H-1B Jobs 2025

With the H-1B cap registration for FY 2026 opening on March 7, and the new H-1B policy activated on Jan 17, it's time to revisit one of the most critical factors for H-1B applicants—minimum salary requirements. Whether you're an employer, an international student aiming for a work visa, or a professional seeking sponsorship, understanding H-1B wage requirements and the highest-paying jobs can help you make informed career choices.

H-1B Minimum Salary Requirements: What’s Changed?

The minimum salary requirement for an H-1B visa is designed to ensure that foreign workers are not underpaid compared to U.S. employees in similar roles. The key salary factors include:

• Prevailing Wage: The minimum industry wage for a specific role in a given location.
• Actual Wage: The salary an employer pays for similar positions within their company.
• General Minimum Salary: The Department of Labor requires H-1B workers to earn at least $60,000 annually, but in many fields, the real minimum is much higher.

What Factors Affect Your H-1B Salary?

• Job Type: Some industries have significantly higher H-1B salary expectations due to specialized skills.
• Work Location: Cities with higher costs of living (e.g., San Francisco, New York) generally have higher salary standards.
• Experience Level: Jobs with higher education and skill requirements demand premium wages.

The rise in H-1B registration fees ($215 per application) and ongoing policy changes under Trump 2.0 suggest that companies may become more selective when hiring foreign workers. So, which industries and employers are offering the highest salaries?

The Highest-Paying H-1B Jobs in 2025

If you’re aiming for top H-1B salaries, certain fields stand out. Based on H-1B data from 2024, the average highest-paying industries include healthcare, law, and technology.

Here’s a look at the top H-1B employers by salary:

Healthcare Dominates H-1B Salaries

Medical professionals lead the list, with top hospitals and healthcare institutions offering H-1B workers salaries over $300,000 per year!

• Takeaway: If you’re in medicine, healthcare, or biomedical research, you have strong salary prospects in the H-1B job market.

Law Firms Offer Competitive H-1B Salaries

Elite law firms are among the top-paying employers for H-1B holders, with salaries exceeding $250,000 per year.

• Takeaway: If you’re in corporate law or financial regulation, elite firms in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. offer some of the best salaries for H-1B holders.

Tech & Engineering: High Demand, High Salaries

While the healthcare and legal sectors lead in salary, tech and engineering jobs remain highly lucrative for H-1B holders. Top companies in AI, cybersecurity, and fintech are still hiring foreign talent at competitive wages.

What This Means for H-1B Applicants

• Specialized fields = higher salaries – If you’re in STEM, law, or healthcare, H-1B jobs in your field are among the highest-paid.
• Location matters – Big tech hubs like California and New York have higher salary expectations.
• Policy uncertainty – With Trump 2.0, companies may rethink sponsorship, so applicants should stay informed on H-1B wage trends.

If you’re currently on F-1 OPT, Day 1 CPT, or looking for H-1B sponsorship, knowing the H-1B minimum salary requirements and the highest-paying employers can help you plan your career strategically.