Columbia Community Mental Health · St. Helens, Oregon
Case #I-200-20359-979590
In FY2021, Columbia Community Mental Health sought H-1B sponsorship for a Mental Health Counselor - Jail Diversion Team in St. Helens, Oregon at $47k per year, which is 1% above the prevailing wage of $46k. The case was certified in 11 days during the FY FY2021 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-20359-979590 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2021 |
| Employer | Columbia Community Mental Health |
| Employer Location | St. Helens, Oregon |
| Job Title | Mental Health Counselor - Jail Diversion Team |
| SOC Code | 21-101400 – Mental Health Counselors |
| Worksite | St. Helens, Oregon |
| Annual Wage | $47k – $57k |
| Prevailing Wage | $46k |
| Wage Premium | +0.6% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counselor | $41k | CERTIFIED - WITHDRAWN | May 10, 2021 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Columbia Community Mental Health for the position of Mental Health Counselor - Jail Diversion Team in St. Helens, Oregon. The offered annual salary is $47k, compared to the prevailing wage of $46k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +0.6% 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, Columbia Community Mental Health filed LCA case number I-200-20359-979590 to sponsor a Mental Health Counselor - Jail Diversion Team position at their worksite in St. Helens, Oregon. 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 $47k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $46k for Mental Health Counselors positions in the St. Helens, Oregon area. The positive wage premium of +0.6% 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 Columbia Community Mental Health's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $47k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Mental Health Counselor - Jail Diversion Team positions in the St. Helens, Oregon 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 Dec 24, 2020 and a decision was rendered on Jan 4, 2021, a processing time of approximately 11 business days. The standard DOL processing time for LCA applications is 7 to 10 business days. This application took longer than the standard timeframe, which may indicate additional review was required.
The offered salary of $47k for this Mental Health Counselor - Jail Diversion Team 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 21-101400 (Mental Health Counselors), 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 Mental Health Counselor - Jail Diversion Team position at Columbia Community Mental Health is $47k to $57k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $46k. The offered wage represents a +0.6% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in St. Helens, Oregon. The employing company, Columbia Community Mental Health, is headquartered in St. Helens, Oregon.
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 Columbia Community Mental Health, located in St. Helens, Oregon. Columbia Community Mental Health filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-20359-979590) for a Mental Health Counselor - Jail Diversion Team position during fiscal year FY 2021. View all Columbia Community Mental Health H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Columbia Community Mental Health 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.