The prevailing wage data does not necessarily reflect what people are actually paid. It is the minimum required salary for the company to be able to apply for a labour certification on behalf of a foreign worker. It is obviously in the company's interest to commit to the lowest salary the DOL will let them get away with for a given level of worker.
There is another potential effect: as part of the labour certification process, the company is required to post up the applications of all foreigners it is hiring in a "prominent location" for around two weeks, to make sure all other employees are aware of it. It can be rather awkward to post up an LCA with a number on it that is significantly higher than what others in the company are getting.
My experience has been that many people are paid significantly more than the prevailing wage on the application. As mentioned, this is also just the base rate, without bonuses or equity.
I would say this analysis is useful for drawing comparisons between companies and observing trends, but less useful for the absolute numbers.
There is another potential effect: as part of the labour certification process, the company is required to post up the applications of all foreigners it is hiring in a "prominent location" for around two weeks, to make sure all other employees are aware of it. It can be rather awkward to post up an LCA with a number on it that is significantly higher than what others in the company are getting.
My experience has been that many people are paid significantly more than the prevailing wage on the application. As mentioned, this is also just the base rate, without bonuses or equity.
I would say this analysis is useful for drawing comparisons between companies and observing trends, but less useful for the absolute numbers.