Food and Drug Administration, HHS · Silver Spring, Maryland
Case #I-200-22132-165147
Food and Drug Administration, HHS filed an H-1B petition for a Visiting Associate position in Silver Spring, Maryland at $121k per year — 147% above the prevailing wage of $49k. The case was certified in 117 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-200-22132-165147 |
| Case Status | Certified - Withdrawn |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2022 |
| Employer | Food and Drug Administration, HHS |
| Employer Location | Silver Spring, Maryland |
| Job Title | Visiting Associate |
| SOC Code | 19-104200 – Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| Worksite | Silver Spring, Maryland |
| Annual Wage | $121k |
| Prevailing Wage | $49k |
| Wage Premium | +147.4% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 1 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visiting Scientist | $75k | CERTIFIED | Aug 29, 2024 |
| Visiting Scientist | $126k | CERTIFIED | Jul 31, 2024 |
| Visiting Scientist | $126k | CERTIFIED - WITHDRAWN | Jul 17, 2024 |
| Visiting Scientist | $87k | CERTIFIED | May 24, 2024 |
| Visiting Associate | $97k | CERTIFIED | May 23, 2024 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Food and Drug Administration, HHS for the position of Visiting Associate in Silver Spring, Maryland. The offered annual salary is $121k, compared to the prevailing wage of $49k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +147.4% 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Case status: Certified - Withdrawn. This means the employer or their representative withdrew the application.
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, Food and Drug Administration, HHS filed LCA case number I-200-22132-165147 to sponsor a Visiting Associate position at their worksite in Silver Spring, Maryland. 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 $121k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $49k for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists positions in the Silver Spring, Maryland area. The positive wage premium of +147.4% 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-Withdrawn" status means this LCA was initially certified by the DOL but was later withdrawn by the employer. This can happen for various reasons: the foreign worker may have declined the position, found employment elsewhere, the employer may have decided to refile with updated information, or business conditions may have changed. A withdrawal does not negatively affect the employer's ability to file future LCAs.
This LCA was received by the DOL on May 12, 2022 and a decision was rendered on Sep 6, 2022, a processing time of approximately 117 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 $121k for this Visiting Associate 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 19-104200 (Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists), 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 Visiting Associate position at Food and Drug Administration, HHS is $121k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $49k. The offered wage represents a +147.4% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The employing company, Food and Drug Administration, HHS, is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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 Food and Drug Administration, HHS, located in Silver Spring, Maryland. Food and Drug Administration, HHS filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-22132-165147) for a Visiting Associate position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all Food and Drug Administration, HHS H-1B filings.
Certified-Withdrawn means this LCA was initially certified by the DOL but was subsequently withdrawn by the employer or their authorized representative.