George Mason University · Washington, District of Columbia
Case #I-200-21069-136779
In FY2021, George Mason University sought H-1B sponsorship for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Washington, District of Columbia at $87k per year, which is 98% above the prevailing wage of $44k. The case was certified in 602 days during the FY FY2021 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-21069-136779 |
| Case Status | Certified - Withdrawn |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2021 |
| Employer | George Mason University |
| Employer Location | Fairfax, Virginia |
| Job Title | Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
| SOC Code | 19-102900 – Biological Scientists, All Other |
| Worksite | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Annual Wage | $87k |
| Prevailing Wage | $44k |
| Wage Premium | +98.3% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $200k | CERTIFIED | Sep 12, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor | $175k | CERTIFIED | Sep 9, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor | $175k | CERTIFIED | Sep 9, 2025 |
| Research Instructor | $84k | CERTIFIED | Jul 30, 2025 |
| Instructional Assistant Professor | $75k | CERTIFIED | Jul 30, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by George Mason University for the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Washington, District of Columbia. The offered annual salary is $87k, compared to the prevailing wage of $44k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +98.3% 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Case status: Certified - Withdrawn.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, George Mason University filed LCA case number I-200-21069-136779 to sponsor a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at their worksite in Washington, District of Columbia. 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 $87k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $44k for Biological Scientists, All Other positions in the Washington, District of Columbia area. The positive wage premium of +98.3% 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 "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 Mar 10, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Nov 2, 2022, a processing time of approximately 602 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 $87k for this Postdoctoral Research Fellow 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 19-102900 (Biological Scientists, All Other), 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 Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at George Mason University is $87k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $44k. The offered wage represents a +98.3% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Washington, District of Columbia. The employing company, George Mason University, is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia.
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 George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia. George Mason University filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-21069-136779) for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position during fiscal year FY 2021. View all George Mason University 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.