prevailing wage · DOL OFLC 2025-26
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders prevailing wage in Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area
The official U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage for Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (SOC 51-9021) in Northeast Alabama 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
$29,058
$13.97/hr
Level II
$36,899
$17.74/hr
Level III
$44,720
$21.50/hr
Level IV
$52,562
$25.27/hr
| level | per year | who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | $29,058 | entry-level — routine tasks under close supervision (≈17th percentile) |
| Level II | $36,899 | qualified — moderately complex tasks (≈34th percentile) |
| Level III | $44,720 | experienced — independent judgment (≈50th percentile) |
| Level IV | $52,562 | 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.