DENIED H-1B FY 2023

Design Associate

Gardner.Studio, LLC · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Case #I-200-23122-985854

In FY2023, Gardner.Studio, LLC sought H-1B sponsorship for a Design Associate in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at $58k per year, which is 11% above the prevailing wage of $52k. The case was denied in 2 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for new employment.

$58k
Annual Salary
$52k
Prevailing Wage
+11.4%
Wage Premium
1
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-200-23122-985854
Case StatusDenied
Visa ClassH-1B
Fiscal YearFY 2023
EmployerGardner.Studio, LLC
Employer LocationOklahoma City, Oklahoma
Job TitleDesign Associate
SOC Code17-101100 – Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
WorksiteOklahoma City, Oklahoma
Annual Wage$58k
Prevailing Wage$52k
Wage Premium+11.4%
Positions1 (1 new, 0 continued)

Timeline

May 2, 2023
Received
May 4, 2023
Decision
Oct 1, 2023
Employment Start
Sep 30, 2026
Employment End

More Filings from Gardner.Studio, LLC

Job TitleSalaryStatusDate
Design Associate $58k CERTIFIED May 5, 2023

View all Gardner.Studio, LLC filings →

Explore More

About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Gardner.Studio, LLC for the position of Design Associate in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The offered annual salary is $58k, compared to the prevailing wage of $52k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +11.4% 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: Denied. This means the Department of Labor has denied the application, possibly due to wage or documentation issues.

Understanding This LCA Filing

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.

Why Employers File LCAs

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, Gardner.Studio, LLC filed LCA case number I-200-23122-985854 to sponsor a Design Associate position at their worksite in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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.

What Wage Levels Mean

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 $58k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $52k for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval positions in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area. The positive wage premium of +11.4% indicates the employer is offering above the DOL-determined average for this occupation and location.

What is Prevailing Wage?

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.

How to Interpret This Data

What Denied Means for This Application

A "Denied" status means the DOL has determined that Gardner.Studio, LLC'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.

Processing Time

This LCA was received by the DOL on May 2, 2023 and a decision was rendered on May 4, 2023, a processing time of approximately 2 business days. The standard DOL processing time for LCA applications is 7 to 10 business days. This application was processed within the standard timeframe.

Comparing to Industry Standards

The offered salary of $58k for this Design 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 17-101100 (Architects, Except Landscape and Naval), 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for this Design Associate position?

The offered annual salary for this Design Associate position at Gardner.Studio, LLC is $58k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $52k. The offered wage represents a +11.4% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Design Associate job located?

This H-1B filing is for a position located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The employing company, Gardner.Studio, LLC, is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

What visa type is this filing for?

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.

Who is the employer for this H-1B filing?

The employer for this filing is Gardner.Studio, LLC, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Gardner.Studio, LLC filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-23122-985854) for a Design Associate position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all Gardner.Studio, LLC H-1B filings.

What does LCA “Denied” mean?

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.

Related Guides