H-1B Lottery Odds for Civil Engineers in Virginia
FY2027 estimated selection probability · SOC 17-2051
Estimated selection odds
25%
Why Level 2 - Qualified in Virginia?
Virginia is a mid-cost-of-living state. The typical Civil Engineer salary here is around $90,000, which places this role at Level 2 - Qualified (34th-50th percentile of prevailing wages) based on Virginia's prevailing wage thresholds.
Under USCIS's weighted selection system, Level 2 - Qualified registrations receive a 1.8x selection weight compared to Level 1 entry wages. This translates to an estimated 25% base selection rate.
Virginia wage thresholds (all occupations avg.)
≤ $62,000
≤ $90,000
≤ $128,000
> $128,000
What if you have a US Master's degree?
Without Master's
25%
Regular pool only
With US Master's
45.8%
Two pools (+20.8%)
With a US master's or higher, you enter the 20,000 advanced-degree pool first. If not selected there, you roll into the 65,000 regular cap pool. This compound probability gives Civil Engineers in Virginia a 20.8 percentage point boost.
How Virginia compares for Civil Engineers
The same occupation can have very different odds depending on where you work. Higher prevailing wages in expensive states mean your salary maps to a lower wage level, potentially reducing your odds.
Tips for Civil Engineers in Virginia
- ›A higher offered salary could move you to Wage Level 3, significantly improving your odds.
- ›A US Master's degree gives you two chances: the 20,000 master's cap pool plus the 65,000 regular pool.
- ›Consider roles in lower-cost-of-living states where the same salary maps to a higher wage level.
- ›The lottery is annual. If not selected this year, you can re-enter next fiscal year.
Get notified when FY2027 results drop
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