Apple H-1B Salary Ranges by Role: Engineers to Designers

FY 2027 H-1B cap season opens in March 2026, with a major change effective February 27, 2026: a wage-weighted selection model that favors higher-paid registrations. For job seekers targeting Apple and other top tech employers, recently disclosed Apple H-1B base salaries show how high-wage offers can align with the new selection mechanics.

USCIS has not published FY 2027 registration volume or any selection rate as of Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The actionable update today is timing and strategy. Employers must prepare wage and job documentation earlier than prior years. Employees should benchmark offers against prevailing wage levels, and confirm role-to-degree fit.

📅 Key Date: February 27, 2026 is the effective date for the FY 2027 wage-weighted selection rule, ahead of March registration.

FY 2027 H-1B cap timeline (employment start: October 1, 2026)

USCIS uses a beneficiary-centric system. That means one registration per person, even with multiple sponsoring employers. It reduces duplicate entries, but it does not reduce competition.

⚠️ Employer Alert: The one-registration-per-beneficiary rule remains in place. Related entities and “job shopping” structures still trigger fraud scrutiny.

How FY 2027 differs from FY 2026

For FY 2026, USCIS announced the cap was reached on July 18, 2025, confirming demand exceeded the annual limit again. The statutory cap remains 85,000 total, split as follows:

• 65,000 regular cap
• 20,000 U.S. master’s cap
• Plus cap-exempt filings year-round

For FY 2027, the change is not the cap number. The change is how USCIS selects registrations. DHS has announced a shift away from a purely random model toward a wage-weighted approach tied to OEWS wage levels. Higher wage levels receive higher selection weight.

This change makes compensation and wage level classification more central than before. It also increases compliance risk if the wage level does not legitimately match the duties and minimum requirements for the role.

Apple H-1B salaries: what the disclosure shows, and what it does not

Apple’s Labor Condition Application (LCA) disclosures show base wage ranges for H-1B positions. These figures exclude equity, bonuses, and benefits. For job search planning, they still function as a market signal for roles that can clear prevailing wage thresholds.

Selected Apple base salary ranges reported in LCA data include:

These ranges often map to Level II–Level IV prevailing wage profiles, depending on location, duties, and minimum requirements. Under a wage-weighted selection system, roles that legitimately support Level III or Level IV wages may see better selection odds than Level I roles.

Prevailing wage and wage levels still control compliance

Apple’s numbers should not be read as a “required minimum” for all employers. H-1B compliance requires the employer to pay the higher of:

1. the prevailing wage for the SOC code and area, or
2. the employer’s actual wage for similarly employed workers

Prevailing wage levels are commonly described as:

• Level I: entry, close supervision
• Level II: qualified, limited judgment
• Level III: experienced, independent work
• Level IV: expert level

Employees should focus on whether the wage level matches the role. USCIS has increased scrutiny for Level I filings and for roles described with broad duties.

💼 Employee Tip: Ask for the SOC code, worksite location, and wage level used on the LCA. Compare it to wage data at flcdatacenter.com.

What happens after selection (and after non-selection)

If you are selected

A selection only allows the employer to file an H-1B petition. It is not an approval. Next steps typically include:

1. Employer files the LCA with DOL and posts required notices.
2. Employer files Form I-129 during the filing window.
3. USCIS adjudicates and may issue an RFE on specialty occupation, wage level, or employer-employee relationship.
4. If approved and you are abroad, you apply for an H-1B visa stamp, then enter in H-1B status.

Employer fees commonly include:

A separate $100,000 fee has been announced for certain filings, effective in late 2025. Applicability depends on the petition and policy scope. Employers should confirm exposure before budgeting.

If you are not selected

USCIS may run additional selection rounds if filing volume is insufficient. If no selection occurs, consider these alternative paths:

• Cap-exempt H-1B: Universities, affiliated nonprofits, and nonprofit research entities.
• O-1: For individuals with sustained acclaim; fits some AI, research, and design profiles.
• L-1: For intracompany transfers after qualifying overseas employment.
• TN: For eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals in listed occupations.
• E-3: For Australian nationals in specialty occupations.
• STEM OPT extension: If eligible, it can bridge to the next cap season.

A cap-exempt role can preserve U.S. work authorization while keeping a long-term H-1B plan.

Projected FY 2028 timeline (early planning)

FY 2028 usually follows the same cycle:

• Registration: March 2027
• Selection: late March / early April 2027
• Filing: April 1 – June 30, 2027
• Start date: October 1, 2027

For students on F-1, coordinate graduation, OPT, and employer sponsorship timelines. For experienced hires, plan for onboarding and worksite decisions before registration opens.

What employers and employees should do now (January–March 2026)

Employers (including Apple competitors hiring the same talent):

• Finalize job descriptions that match a specific degree field and specialized duties.
• Set realistic wage levels that align with duties and supervision.
• Confirm worksite locations early, including hybrid schedules, for LCA accuracy.
• Prepare for RFEs on specialty occupation and wage level, especially for Level I.

Employees and job seekers:

• Benchmark offers using prevailing wages, not only market chatter.
• Confirm the offered role fits your degree field and coursework.
• Keep documentation ready for specialty occupation support, including transcripts and detailed experience letters.
• If targeting Apple, treat the published H-1B salaries as base-only figures. Equity and bonuses are separate.

Upcoming dates to calendar: February 27, 2026 (rule effective date) and March 2026 (registration opening).

📋 Official Resources:
– H-1B Program: H-1B Program
– Cap Season: Cap Season
– Prevailing Wages: Prevailing Wages