What kind of work visa are you planning to get? If you haven't already, I think it is worth reading up on the different visa options available to you and their associated rules, requirements, chances of success and timescales. I honestly would have thought that going through your wife's greencard would be the easiest option even with the long times involved, but I don't know much about your particular case and options.
For example, some work visas are explicitly non-immigrant (F-1 and J-1 for example) which means that you may be rejected when coming into the country if the border agent suspects you have intent to stay in the US permanently (so if they find out your wife is a US permanent resident for example). Some work visas have a lottery system, for example the H1-B, such that there is just a 30% chance of getting it even after getting a company to sponsor your application.
Also, is it possible for you to go to the US on a tourist visa, and then apply for the greencard through your wife while there? In some circumstances people are given some sort of temporary work permit while they wait for the greencard to come through.