prevailing wage · DOL OFLC 2025-26
Food Preparation Workers prevailing wage in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
The official U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage for Food Preparation Workers (SOC 35-2021) in Bakersfield-Delano, CA, by experience level. This is the legal wage floor an H-1B / E-3 / H-1B1 employer commits to on the LCA, and the benchmark behind PERM green-card and OPT offers.
Level I
$33,592
$16.15/hr
Level II
$35,485
$17.06/hr
Level III
$37,398
$17.98/hr
Level IV
$39,291
$18.89/hr
| level | per year | who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | $33,592 | entry-level — routine tasks under close supervision (≈17th percentile) |
| Level II | $35,485 | qualified — moderately complex tasks (≈34th percentile) |
| Level III | $37,398 | experienced — independent judgment (≈50th percentile) |
| Level IV | $39,291 | fully competent — lead/expert (≈67th percentile) |
How to use this
Find the level that matches the experience required for the role (be honest — it sets your floor), then compare it to the salary you’re offered. If your offer is below the level that fits the job, that’s a negotiating signal — and for H-1B/E-3/H-1B1, paying below the prevailing wage violates the LCA the employer signed.
Source: DOL OFLC prevailing wage data (2025-26). Levels ≈ 17/34/50/67th percentiles of the OEWS distribution. Educational, not legal advice — verify on flag.dol.gov.