Energy BBDO, Inc. · Chicago, Illinois
Case #I-203-21281-633997
In FY2022, Energy BBDO, Inc. sought E-3 AUSTRALIAN sponsorship for a Associate Creative Director in Chicago, Illinois at $130k per year, which is 16% above the prevailing wage of $112k. The case was certified in 10 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-203-21281-633997 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | E-3 AUSTRALIAN |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2022 |
| Employer | Energy BBDO, Inc. |
| Employer Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Job Title | Associate Creative Director |
| SOC Code | 27-101100 – Art Directors |
| Worksite | Chicago, Illinois |
| Annual Wage | $130k |
| Prevailing Wage | $112k |
| Wage Premium | +15.9% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Director | $160k | CERTIFIED | Feb 3, 2025 |
| VP, Strategy Director | $130k | CERTIFIED | Feb 3, 2025 |
| Global Business Lead | $260k | CERTIFIED | Sep 22, 2025 |
| Senior Art Director | $95k | CERTIFIED | May 6, 2025 |
| EVP, Client Service Director | $260k | CERTIFIED | Oct 2, 2024 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Energy BBDO, Inc. for the position of Associate Creative Director in Chicago, Illinois. The offered annual salary is $130k, compared to the prevailing wage of $112k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +15.9% 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, Energy BBDO, Inc. filed LCA case number I-203-21281-633997 to sponsor a Associate Creative Director position at their worksite in Chicago, Illinois. 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 $130k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $112k for Art Directors positions in the Chicago, Illinois area. The positive wage premium of +15.9% 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 Energy BBDO, Inc.'s attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $130k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Associate Creative Director positions in the Chicago, Illinois 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 Oct 8, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Oct 18, 2021, a processing time of approximately 10 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 $130k for this Associate Creative Director position provides a data point for evaluating compensation trends in E-3 AUSTRALIAN 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 27-101100 (Art Directors), 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 Associate Creative Director position at Energy BBDO, Inc. is $130k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $112k. The offered wage represents a +15.9% premium over the prevailing wage.
This E-3 AUSTRALIAN filing is for a position located in Chicago, Illinois. The employing company, Energy BBDO, Inc., is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
This Labor Condition Application is filed under the E-3 AUSTRALIAN visa classification. This visa classification allows employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupation positions in the United States.
The employer for this filing is Energy BBDO, Inc., located in Chicago, Illinois. Energy BBDO, Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-203-21281-633997) for a Associate Creative Director position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all Energy BBDO, Inc. H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Energy BBDO, 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.