Proposed wage floor increases feel like they’re forcing people to job hop just to survive the lottery. How are you all navigating this?

First, I will preface with this: yes I know I’m lucky to have a reliable sponsor, yes I know the market is tough. It was so difficult for me to find a sponsoring employer, so I get it.

On STEM OPT expiring mid-2027 so next year is my last attempt. Currently at a large, experienced H-1B sponsor, $108k base. Under current wage floors for my SOC code:

Level I: $67,600
Level II: $89,190 ← where I am
Level III: $110,802
Level IV: $132,392

With the weighted lottery I get 2 entries. Did not get picked this year.

The problem is the proposed 34% wage floor increases. I know it’s not confirmed yet, but the political appetite is there so IMO it’s only a matter of time. If that hits before March 2027:

Level I becomes ~$90,600
Level II becomes ~$119,500
Level III becomes ~$148,500
Level IV becomes ~$177,400

My $108k gets pushed to Level I. 1 entry instead of 2. And here’s the thing… I actually like my job and I have been there for less than 6 months. I’m not looking to leave. But it genuinely feels like maximizing salary has become a survival mechanism at this point, not greed. It literally just increases your odds.

A few things I’m struggling with…

Does pool compression help? If Level I will now require ~$90k, a massive chunk of current applicants can’t even register so the smaller pool could offset worse odds. But either way, leaving for a job at a higher wage level would increase your odds regardless.

How are others actually navigating this? Staying put? Actively looking? I feel like there is no right or wrong answer, but I’m curious on what others who have thought this through are doing.