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SOC Codes & Prevailing Wage (O*NET + FLAG): Examples and Templates

Last updated: December 2025

This guide covers autocoder approaches for O*NET/SOC selection, NIOCCS crosswalks, FLAG/OEWS prevailing wages, and Parley’s API-driven automations.

How‑to - Visit the Parley homepage to start: https://www.parley.so/ - Use “Step‑by‑step method” below for SOC coding and wage lookup. - Apply the “Copy‑paste memo template” to document your rationale and PAF. - Need help or a demo? Contact us: https://www.parley.so/contact-us

Introduction: pairing SOC coding with DOL wage data

Selecting the right SOC code and prevailing wage is foundational to H‑1B/H‑1B1/E‑3 LCAs and PERM strategy. This hub explains a defensible method using O*NET for classification and the DOL FLAG Wage Search for wages, then shows three worked examples and a copy‑paste memo template your team can reuse. Where helpful, we point to primary sources and to how Parley automates the workflow.

What decisions this research powers

  • H‑1B/H‑1B1/E‑3: employer may determine the prevailing wage at LCA filing or request a PWD from NPWC; LCAs are filed in the FLAG system and are typically processed within 7 working days. FLAG LCA program page and ETA‑9035/9035E info.

  • PERM (ETA‑9141/9089): requires a prevailing wage determination from NPWC. FLAG prevailing wages overview.

  • Public Access File (PAF): document your SOC selection and wage source/level for LCA compliance. See DOL’s Fact Sheet 62F.

Sources you will use (current as of November 28, 2025)

Note on currency: the current OEWS wage year is July 2025–June 2026 (files posted August 1, 2025). Always confirm the active wage year for your filing window on FLAG wage data downloads.

Step‑by‑step method

1) Define the job offer precisely

  • Title, core duties, minimum education, experience, and special skills/tools.

  • Worksite(s) and work arrangement (on‑site, hybrid, fully remote). Identify the “place of employment” and “area of intended employment” using the commuting‑area definition in 20 CFR 655.715 and WHD guidance. If multiple worksites in an area, ensure postings at each site per 20 CFR 655.734 and Fact Sheet 62J.

  • Determine whether ACWIA higher‑education/nonprofit research rules apply (separate OEWS tabulations).

2) Map the job to an SOC code using O*NET

  • Use O*NET keyword search, task phrases, or the crosswalk tools to shortlist occupations; open the occupation reports and validate duties against your job. Start here: O*NET OnLine and O*NET job‑coding help.

  • Record: SOC code and title, O*NET task statements that match your duties, and Job Zone/education context (supportive, not determinative).

3) Select the area of intended employment

  • Identify the county/MSA consistent with where the beneficiary will actually work most of the time. Remote roles use the worker’s regular work location/home station if that is the worksite. See 20 CFR 655.715 and WHD Fact Sheet 62J.

4) Retrieve the prevailing wage on FLAG

  • Go to the FLAG Wage Search. Choose the current wage year, enter the SOC code and area, and select the correct database (All Industries vs. ACWIA).

  • Capture all four wage levels returned (I–IV) and the “updated on” date. For LCAs filed on/after July 1 each year, use that year’s data.

5) Assign the wage level

  • Levels approximate labor market percentiles (I≈17th, II≈34th, III≈50th, IV≈67th) based on OEWS special tabulations. Align the level with the role’s minimum requirements and complexity (e.g., entry‑level roles without significant experience → Level I; roles requiring substantial experience/specialization → higher levels).

6) Document in your file and PAF (for LCAs)

  • Include: SOC code/title and rationale (O*NET task excerpts), area of intended employment, wage year and level, FLAG source URL/date stamp, and actual wage compliance. Use DOL Fact Sheet 62F as a checklist for the PAF.

7) File

Three role examples (classification + wage lookup game‑plan)

The table shows how practitioners typically reason from duties → SOC → wage lookup. Always validate against the full O*NET occupation report and your specific facts.

Role (H‑1B context) Candidate SOC code(s) O*NET duty phrases to cite (examples) Pitfalls and notes
Software Developer 15‑1252 Software Developers “Design, develop, and test software”; “modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.” Avoid misclassification as 15‑1211 Computer Systems Analysts when the core work is building software rather than analyzing procedures/systems. Validate tech stack in duties. Use All‑Industries or ACWIA as applicable.
Data Scientist 15‑2051 Data Scientists “Develop and implement data models”; “use statistical techniques to analyze data and generate insights”; “build predictive models and machine‑learning algorithms.” Distinguish from 15‑2041 Statisticians (pure statistical research) and 15‑1241 Computer Network Architects (infrastructure). Clarify programming, ML, and business domain in duties.
Mechanical Engineer 17‑2141 Mechanical Engineers “Design, develop, and test mechanical devices”; “analyze problems to see how mechanical and thermal devices might help solve the problem.” Distinguish from 17‑2112 Industrial Engineers (process/efficiency focus). Specify CAD/FEA tools, product lifecycle stage, and any licensure if relevant.

Pointers for each example

  • Area of intended employment: identify the correct MSA or non‑MSA geography per 20 CFR 655.715; for hybrid/remote, document the primary site where the beneficiary works most.

  • Wage lookup: use the current FLAG wage year for the SOC/geography; record Levels I–IV and the “updated” date from the FLAG result. If ACWIA applies (universities/nonprofit research), select the ACWIA tabulation.

Copy‑paste memo template (SOC + Prevailing Wage)

Use this structure in your matter file and PAF. To request a downloadable Word version, contact Parley’s team via Contact Us.

Title: SOC Classification and Prevailing Wage Memorandum — [Employee Name], [Petitioner], [Worksite City, State]

  • Position summary: [Title]; [FLSA status]; [NAICS industry of petitioner].

  • Core duties (bulleted): [3–7 bullets reflecting actual day‑to‑day work].

  • Minimum requirements: [Degree major(s)]; [Years of experience]; [Specialized tools/skills/certs].

  • SOC selection: [SOC code, title]. Rationale: [Quote 2–4 O*NET task statements with URLs] and explain fit vs. neighboring SOCs.

  • Geography: [Area of intended employment], citing 20 CFR 655.715 definition; work arrangement (on‑site/hybrid/remote) and primary worksite.

  • Wage source: FLAG Wage Search; Wage Year [e.g., 7/2025–6/2026]; Database [All Industries or ACWIA]; Updated on [date].

  • Prevailing wage result: Level [I/II/III/IV]; Hourly/Annual figure from FLAG; Note that Levels approximate 17th/34th/50th/67th percentiles.

  • Actual wage compliance: Show how offered wage meets/exceeds the higher of actual vs. prevailing; attach internal wage system description if needed (for PAF).

  • Attachments: O*NET occupation report excerpts; FLAG wage printout; posting evidence (location(s), dates) per 20 CFR 655.734; internal wage memo; any ACWIA applicability notes.

  • Prepared by: [Attorney/Analyst]; Date: [MM/DD/YYYY].

How Parley can help

  • Evidence‑aware drafting and research: Parley’s AI cites DOL/OEWS data to support specialty‑occupation arguments and aligns coursework vs. job duties, then drafts in Word/Docs for attorney review. See product updates describing these capabilities (June changelog).

  • Case assembly and exhibits: one‑click exhibit compilation with table of contents and continuous pagination, ready for attorney sign‑off (Parley site).

  • LCA postings and PAF management: generate electronic postings, share, track, and retain PAFs (feature launched in Parley’s case‑management updates; contact us for enablement).

  • Real‑world outcomes: press coverage describes firms uploading evidence (résumés, offer letters) and generating support letters/filings, with expansion to additional visa categories (Business Insider feature, April 10, 2025).

Practitioner notes and cautions

  • Verify the active wage year before filing; as of this writing, 7/2025–6/2026 files are posted on FLAG (updated Aug 1, 2025). FLAG wage data downloads.

  • Since July 1, 2024, FLCDataCenter.com has been decommissioned; use the FLAG Wage Search exclusively. OFLC announcement and DOL news archive (June 27, 2024 entry).

  • LCAs must be filed electronically in FLAG (exceptions are narrow) and are reviewed within 7 working days for completeness/obvious errors. FLAG LCA program page.

  • For multiple worksites within the same area, postings must occur at each site; if the worker’s primary site changes to a different area, reassess the prevailing wage and notice obligations. 20 CFR 655.734 and WHD Fact Sheet 62J.