Higher Ground Education, Inc. · Lake Forest, California
Case #I-200-22069-968879
Higher Ground Education, Inc. filed an H-1B petition for a Chief of Staff position in Lake Forest, California at $124k per year — 133% above the prevailing wage of $53k. The case was certified in 7 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-200-22069-968879 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2022 |
| Employer | Higher Ground Education, Inc. |
| Employer Location | Lake Forest, California |
| Job Title | Chief of Staff |
| SOC Code | 11-903100 – Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program |
| Worksite | Lake Forest, California |
| Annual Wage | $124k |
| Prevailing Wage | $53k |
| Wage Premium | +132.9% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepared Montessorian Operations Coordinator | $65k | CERTIFIED | Dec 6, 2024 |
| Chief of Staff | $139k | CERTIFIED | Aug 20, 2024 |
| Regional Manager (NY Region) | $105k | CERTIFIED | Jan 3, 2024 |
| Director of Engineering | $141k | CERTIFIED | May 23, 2023 |
| Education Site Manager | $70k | CERTIFIED | Mar 30, 2023 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Higher Ground Education, Inc. for the position of Chief of Staff in Lake Forest, California. The offered annual salary is $124k, compared to the prevailing wage of $53k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +132.9% 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, Higher Ground Education, Inc. filed LCA case number I-200-22069-968879 to sponsor a Chief of Staff position at their worksite in Lake Forest, 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 $124k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $53k for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program positions in the Lake Forest, California area. The positive wage premium of +132.9% 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 Higher Ground Education, Inc.'s attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $124k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Chief of Staff positions in the Lake Forest, California 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 Mar 10, 2022 and a decision was rendered on Mar 17, 2022, a processing time of approximately 7 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 $124k for this Chief of Staff 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 11-903100 (Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program), 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 Chief of Staff position at Higher Ground Education, Inc. is $124k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $53k. The offered wage represents a +132.9% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Lake Forest, California. The employing company, Higher Ground Education, Inc., is headquartered in Lake Forest, 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 Higher Ground Education, Inc., located in Lake Forest, California. Higher Ground Education, Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-22069-968879) for a Chief of Staff position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all Higher Ground Education, Inc. H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Higher Ground Education, 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.