Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church · Middletown, Pennsylvania
Case #I-200-24172-134605
In FY2024, Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church sought H-1B sponsorship for a Lead Pastor in Middletown, Pennsylvania at $52k per year, which is 5% above the prevailing wage of $49k. The case was certified in 7 days during the FY FY2024 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-24172-134605 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2024 |
| Employer | Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church |
| Employer Location | Middletown, Pennsylvania |
| Job Title | Lead Pastor |
| SOC Code | 21-201100 – Clergy |
| Worksite | Middletown, Pennsylvania |
| Annual Wage | $52k – $62k |
| Prevailing Wage | $49k |
| Wage Premium | +5.5% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church for the position of Lead Pastor in Middletown, Pennsylvania. The offered annual salary is $52k, compared to the prevailing wage of $49k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +5.5% 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, Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church filed LCA case number I-200-24172-134605 to sponsor a Lead Pastor position at their worksite in Middletown, Pennsylvania. 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 $52k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $49k for Clergy positions in the Middletown, Pennsylvania area. The positive wage premium of +5.5% 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 Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $52k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Lead Pastor positions in the Middletown, Pennsylvania 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 Jun 20, 2024 and a decision was rendered on Jun 27, 2024, a processing time of approximately 7 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 $52k for this Lead Pastor 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 21-201100 (Clergy), 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 Lead Pastor position at Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church is $52k to $62k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $49k. The offered wage represents a +5.5% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Middletown, Pennsylvania. The employing company, Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church, is headquartered in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
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 Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church, located in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-24172-134605) for a Lead Pastor position during fiscal year FY 2024. View all Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Bright Hope Fellowship, a Brethren in Christ Church 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.