Levels.fyi vs H1B Salary Database vs Payscale: Ultimate 2026 Comparison for Tech Salary Research
In the competitive 2026 job market, tech professionals, job seekers, and HR teams need reliable salary data for negotiations, benchmarking, and H1B compliance. This comprehensive breakdown compares Levels.fyi, H1B Salary Database, and Payscale on features, accuracy, data sources, pros/cons, and use cases--focusing on tech salaries, H1B wages, and general benchmarking.
Quick Winner Recommendation: Levels.fyi takes the crown for tech/FAANG total compensation (85-90% accuracy), H1B Database for official visa data, and Payscale for non-tech roles.
Quick Summary: Which Tool Wins in 2026?
For tech salaries in 2026, Levels.fyi is the best overall due to its real-time, crowdsourced total comp data (base + RSU + bonus). H1B Database shines for government-backed H1B wages amid lottery changes and $100k fees. Payscale leads for broad, non-tech benchmarking.
Key Takeaways
| Tool | Best For | Accuracy | 1-Line Pro | 1-Line Con |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levels.fyi | Tech/FAANG TC | 85-90% | Free, detailed percentiles/levels | Self-reported biases |
| H1B Database | H1B visa compliance | Gov (high cred) | Official LCA/approved wages | No equity, annual updates only |
| Payscale | Non-tech/general | 85-90% | Custom reports/negotiation tool | Paid premium features |
2026 H1B Stats: Approval rates ~35%, new $100k filing fee reducing registrations, wage levels I-IV locked from March lottery. Tech comp trimodal: peaks at $100k/$170k (US).
Overview of the Three Tools
These tools serve distinct needs: Levels.fyi for tech insiders, H1B Database for visa pros, Payscale for versatile benchmarking.
- Levels.fyi: Crowdsourced total compensation (TC) for tech roles, with company levels (e.g., Google L5), percentiles, and negotiation guides. Real-time updates from user submissions. Ideal for FAANG swaps.
- H1B Salary Database: Aggregates DOL Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) and approved H1B wages by SOC code, location, wage levels I-IV. Annual data (latest 2025-2026), critical for H1B lottery prep and compliance. Approval rates ~35%.
- Payscale: Broad salary benchmarks across industries, with custom reports, percentiles, and negotiation tools. Covers non-tech; some free data, premium paid. Update frequency: frequent but less real-time than Levels.fyi.
Data Freshness: Levels.fyi (real-time), H1B (annual DOL releases), Payscale (ongoing surveys). Example: Google L5 TC on Levels.fyi ~$450k+ (base $150k + $300k RSU).
Levels.fyi Deep Dive
Levels.fyi excels for tech pros targeting Big Tech. It breaks down total comp (base salary + RSUs + bonus), offering percentiles (10th-90th) and company-specific levels (e.g., Google L5 vs Meta E5). 2026 benchmarks show trimodal distribution: peaks at $100k (entry), $170k (mid), $450k+ (senior FAANG).
Strengths: Free negotiation guide (e.g., counter $150k base to $165k; swap equity). International data vs US H1B focus. Reliability: 85-90% accuracy from verified submissions.
H1B Salary Database Deep Dive
Government-sourced from DOL LCAs, this tool queries prevailing wages by SOC code (e.g., 15-1252 Software Developers), location, and wage levels I-IV (Level IV highest). 2026 trends: March lottery locks job details/salary; $100k fee cuts volume; remote wages use reporting location.
Key for Employers: Ensures H1B compliance (actual wage ≥ prevailing). Tutorial: Enter SOC, city → view levels. Limitations: Base salary only (no equity); approved LCAs (not all petitions succeed at 35%).
H1B at Big Tech (e.g., Google/Apple/MS): Entry-level often higher than avg but excludes TC perks.
Payscale Deep Dive
Payscale provides percentiles and custom reports for any job title/location, with a negotiation tool. Strong for non-tech (e.g., marketing 15-20% less than tech peers). Vs Levels.fyi: Broader but less TC depth; free basics vs paid reports.
Use Case: Benchmark software engineer percentiles; compare to Levels.fyi for tech accuracy.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Features, Accuracy & Reliability (2026 Edition)
| Category | Levels.fyi | H1B Salary Database | Payscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 85-90% (crowdsourced) | Gov cred (0.37-0.54), official | 85-90% (surveys) |
| Tech/FAANG | Wins: Full TC, levels/percentiles | Base only; Google H1B examples | Good benchmarks, no levels |
| Non-Tech | Limited | SOC-based, broad | Best: Custom reports |
| Update Frequency | Real-time | Annual (delays) | Frequent |
| H1B/Visa | Supplements TC | Essential (wage levels, lottery) | General benchmarks |
| Intl vs US | Strong intl data | US H1B focus | Global |
Contradictions: H1B entry-level base higher than Levels.fyi avg (specialized talent), but no TC ($150k base vs $450k Levels L5). 32% wage rise in high-tech (gov data). H1B at FAANG: Often mid-senior, excluding perks.
Pros & Cons: Side-by-Side Breakdown
Levels.fyi
- Pros: Free, detailed TC/percentiles, negotiation swaps, real-time 2026 trends.
- Cons: Self-reported (potential bias), tech-focused.
H1B Salary Database
- Pros: Official gov data, H1B compliance (wage levels, SOC queries), free.
- Cons: No equity/bonus, annual freshness, approved-only (35% rate).
Payscale
- Pros: Broad coverage, negotiation tool, custom paid reports.
- Cons: Less free depth vs Levels.fyi, paid for premiums.
Mini Case: Google L5 on Levels.fyi (~$450k TC) vs H1B software eng (~$150k+ base, no RSU)--use both for negotiation.
How to Use These Tools: Step-by-Step Guides & Checklists
Checklist 1: H1B Database Query
- Find SOC code (e.g., O*NET for "Software Developers" = 15-1252).
- Enter location (remote: use reporting site).
- View wage levels I-IV; ensure offer ≥ Level II+ for 2026 lottery.
- Cross-check LCA for your role.
Checklist 2: Levels.fyi for Negotiation
- Input company/level/location (e.g., Google L5 SF).
- Review TC percentiles; note peaks ($100k/$170k).
- Use guide: Counter base ($150k → $165k), request RSU swaps.
- Verify exploding offers (24-48 hrs).
Checklist 3: Payscale Benchmark
- Enter job title/location/experience.
- Generate percentiles; buy custom report if needed.
- Compare to Levels.fyi for tech.
2026 H1B Prep: Align registration (March) with petition; audit wages regularly.
2026 Tech Salary Benchmarks & Trends from All Three Tools
2026 IT guide cities (Atlanta, Austin, etc.): Software eng trimodal--$100k entry, $170k mid, $450k+ FAANG senior. H1B vs Levels.fyi: H1B percentiles higher base (gov 32% rise) but no perks; Levels TC $150k base + $300k RSU.
FAANG Comparison:
- Levels.fyi: Google L5 median $450k.
- H1B: Approved ~$150k+ base (Apple/MS similar).
- Payscale: $170k median (less TC).
Mini Case: Negotiate from $150k to $165k using Levels.fyi percentiles + H1B prevailing wage proof.
Limitations, Accuracy Concerns & When to Cross-Reference
Biases: Levels.fyi (self-reported, 85-90% reliable but high-end skew); H1B (no TC, myths of undercutting--actually specialized); Payscale (survey-based).
Freshness: Levels.fyi > Payscale > H1B (2026 lottery data lags). Cross-reference: Use H1B for base compliance, Levels for TC negotiation, Payscale for non-tech.
Cases: Remote H1B (use worksite rule); intl vs US (Levels stronger). Gov accuracy high but limited scope.
FAQ
Which is more accurate in 2026: Payscale vs Levels.fyi?
Levels.fyi for tech TC (85-90%), Payscale for general/non-tech.
H1B Salary Database vs Levels.fyi for tech salaries?
H1B for base/visa (official), Levels.fyi for full TC/FAANG.
Best tool for FAANG compensation comparison?
Levels.fyi--levels, percentiles, real-time.
How to query H1B database vs Levels.fyi tutorial?
H1B: SOC/location → levels; Levels: Company/level → TC percentiles.
Levels.fyi update frequency vs H1B data freshness?
Real-time vs annual.
Payscale vs H1B for non-tech jobs 2026?
Payscale--broader benchmarks; H1B SOC-specific but visa-focused.