Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. · Temple City, California
Case #I-200-23243-312439
A Sr. Scientist position at Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. in Temple City, California was filed at $94k per year, offering 1% above the prevailing wage of $93k. The case was certified in 8 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-23243-312439 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2023 |
| Employer | Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. |
| Employer Location | Thousand Oaks, California |
| Job Title | Sr. Scientist |
| SOC Code | 15-205100 – Data Scientists |
| Worksite | Temple City, California |
| Annual Wage | $94k – $146k |
| Prevailing Wage | $93k |
| Wage Premium | +0.7% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist, Translational Data Scientist | $94k | CERTIFIED | Aug 17, 2023 |
| Associate Scientist | $73k | CERTIFIED | Jun 29, 2023 |
| Sr. Specialist, Cell Therapy Operations | $116k | CERTIFIED | May 9, 2023 |
| Cell Therapy Specialist | $96k | CERTIFIED | Apr 11, 2023 |
| Supply Chain Specialist | $79k | CERTIFIED | Apr 11, 2023 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. for the position of Sr. Scientist in Temple City, California. The offered annual salary is $94k, compared to the prevailing wage of $93k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +0.7% above the prevailing wage.
The LCA is the first step in the H-1B visa process. Employers must file an LCA with the Department of Labor certifying that they will pay the foreign worker at least the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment. A certified LCA is required before the employer can file an H-1B petition with USCIS.
Case status: Certified. This means the Department of Labor has certified that the employer meets the wage and working condition requirements.
A Labor Condition Application (LCA) is a mandatory document that U.S. employers must file with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) before they can petition for a foreign worker under the H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 visa categories. The LCA process was established under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to protect both foreign and domestic workers by ensuring fair wages and working conditions.
When a U.S. company identifies a foreign national to fill a specialty occupation position, they must first obtain DOL certification through the LCA process before filing the H-1B petition (Form I-129) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In this case, Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. filed LCA case number I-200-23243-312439 to sponsor a Sr. Scientist position at their worksite in Temple City, California. By filing this LCA, the employer attests to four key conditions: (1) paying the higher of the actual wage or prevailing wage, (2) providing working conditions that will not adversely affect other similarly employed workers, (3) no strike or lockout at the worksite, and (4) providing notice of the filing to the bargaining representative or posting notice at the worksite.
The DOL establishes four wage levels for each occupation and geographic area, representing the progression from entry-level to fully competent workers:
For this filing, the offered wage of $94k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $93k for Data Scientists positions in the Temple City, California area. The positive wage premium of +0.7% indicates the employer is offering above the DOL-determined average for this occupation and location.
The prevailing wage is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment. The DOL determines prevailing wages using data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employers must pay H-1B workers the higher of the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to other employees in similar positions at the company. This requirement is designed to prevent employers from using H-1B workers to undercut domestic wages.
A "Certified" status means the DOL has reviewed Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.'s attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $94k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Sr. Scientist positions in the Temple City, California area. It is important to understand that LCA certification does not guarantee H-1B visa approval. The next step is for the employer to file Form I-129 with USCIS, which evaluates whether the position qualifies as a specialty occupation and whether the beneficiary has the required qualifications.
This LCA was received by the DOL on Aug 31, 2023 and a decision was rendered on Sep 8, 2023, a processing time of approximately 8 business days. The standard DOL processing time for LCA applications is 7 to 10 business days. This application was processed within the standard timeframe.
The offered salary of $94k for this Sr. Scientist position provides a data point for evaluating compensation trends in H-1B visa sponsorship. When reviewing H-1B salary data, consider that wages vary significantly based on geographic location, employer size, industry sector, and the worker's experience level. This position falls under SOC code 15-205100 (Data Scientists), which standardizes how the Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies occupations across industries. Metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle typically command higher salaries due to higher costs of living, while positions in smaller markets may offer lower nominal wages but comparable purchasing power.
The offered annual salary for this Sr. Scientist position at Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. is $94k to $146k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $93k. The offered wage represents a +0.7% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Temple City, California. The employing company, Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc., is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California.
This Labor Condition Application is filed under the H-1B visa classification. The H-1B visa is designed for specialty occupation workers who possess at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific field related to the job.
The employer for this filing is Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc., located in Thousand Oaks, California. Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-23243-312439) for a Sr. Scientist position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. has attested to meeting all wage and working condition requirements. A certified LCA does not guarantee H-1B visa approval — the employer must still file a separate petition (Form I-129) with USCIS.