prevailing wage · DOL OFLC 2026-27
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas prevailing wage in North Georgia nonmetropolitan area
The official U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas (SOC 47-5012) in North Georgia nonmetropolitan area, 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
$48,277
$23.21/hr
Level II
$60,154
$28.92/hr
Level III
$72,010
$34.62/hr
Level IV
$83,886
$40.33/hr
| level | per year | who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | $48,277 | entry-level — routine tasks under close supervision (≈17th percentile) |
| Level II | $60,154 | qualified — moderately complex tasks (≈34th percentile) |
| Level III | $72,010 | experienced — independent judgment (≈50th percentile) |
| Level IV | $83,886 | 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 (2026-27). Levels ≈ 17/34/50/67th percentiles of the OEWS distribution. Educational, not legal advice — verify on flag.dol.gov.