Ernesto's Auto Service · El Centro, California
Case #I-200-21342-752481
Ernesto's Auto Service filed an H-1B petition for a Auto Mechanic position in El Centro, California at $42k per year — 2% above the prevailing wage of $41k. The case was denied in 5 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-21342-752481 |
| Case Status | Denied |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2022 |
| Employer | Ernesto's Auto Service |
| Employer Location | El Centro, California |
| Job Title | Auto Mechanic |
| SOC Code | 49-302300 – Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics |
| Worksite | El Centro, California |
| Annual Wage | $42k – $43k |
| Prevailing Wage | $41k |
| Wage Premium | +2.3% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Ernesto's Auto Service for the position of Auto Mechanic in El Centro, California. The offered annual salary is $42k, compared to the prevailing wage of $41k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +2.3% 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: Denied. This means the Department of Labor has denied the application, possibly due to wage or documentation issues.
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, Ernesto's Auto Service filed LCA case number I-200-21342-752481 to sponsor a Auto Mechanic position at their worksite in El Centro, 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 $42k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $41k for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics positions in the El Centro, California area. The positive wage premium of +2.3% 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 "Denied" status means the DOL has determined that Ernesto's Auto Service's LCA did not meet one or more regulatory requirements. Common reasons for denial include: the offered wage falling below the prevailing wage, errors in the application, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations by the employer. The employer may correct the identified issues and submit a new LCA.
This LCA was received by the DOL on Dec 8, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Dec 13, 2021, a processing time of approximately 5 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 $42k for this Auto Mechanic 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 49-302300 (Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics), 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 Auto Mechanic position at Ernesto's Auto Service is $42k to $43k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $41k. The offered wage represents a +2.3% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in El Centro, California. The employing company, Ernesto's Auto Service, is headquartered in El Centro, 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 Ernesto's Auto Service, located in El Centro, California. Ernesto's Auto Service filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-21342-752481) for a Auto Mechanic position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all Ernesto's Auto Service H-1B filings.
Denied means the U.S. Department of Labor has rejected this Labor Condition Application. Common reasons for denial include offering a wage below the prevailing wage, incomplete documentation, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations.