CERTIFIED H-1B FY 2023

Direct Support Professional

Integrated Care Service · Otsego, Minnesota

Case #I-200-23030-736966

A Direct Support Professional position at Integrated Care Service in Otsego, Minnesota was filed at $29k per year, offering 8% above the prevailing wage of $27k. The case was certified in 7 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for continued employment. The filing covers 12 positions.

$29k
Annual Salary
up to $33k
$27k
Prevailing Wage
+8.2%
Wage Premium
12
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-200-23030-736966
Case StatusCertified
Visa ClassH-1B
Fiscal YearFY 2023
EmployerIntegrated Care Service
Employer LocationOtsego, Minnesota
Job TitleDirect Support Professional
SOC Code31-112100 – Home Health Aides
WorksiteOtsego, Minnesota
Annual Wage$29k – $33k
Prevailing Wage$27k
Wage Premium+8.2%
Positions12 (12 new, 0 continued)

Timeline

Jan 30, 2023
Received
Feb 6, 2023
Decision
Jun 1, 2023
Employment Start
May 31, 2025
Employment End

Explore More

About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Integrated Care Service for the position of Direct Support Professional in Otsego, Minnesota. The offered annual salary is $29k, compared to the prevailing wage of $27k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +8.2% 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.

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, Integrated Care Service filed LCA case number I-200-23030-736966 to sponsor a Direct Support Professional position at their worksite in Otsego, Minnesota. 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 $29k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $27k for Home Health Aides positions in the Otsego, Minnesota area. The positive wage premium of +8.2% 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 Certified Means for This Application

A "Certified" status means the DOL has reviewed Integrated Care Service's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $29k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Direct Support Professional positions in the Otsego, Minnesota 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.

Processing Time

This LCA was received by the DOL on Jan 30, 2023 and a decision was rendered on Feb 6, 2023, 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.

Comparing to Industry Standards

The offered salary of $29k for this Direct Support Professional 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 31-112100 (Home Health Aides), 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.

This LCA covers 12 positions (12 new hires, 0 continued employment), indicating that Integrated Care Service has multiple openings for this role. Multi-position LCAs are common among larger employers who need to hire several workers for the same job classification and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for this Direct Support Professional position?

The offered annual salary for this Direct Support Professional position at Integrated Care Service is $29k to $33k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $27k. The offered wage represents a +8.2% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Direct Support Professional job located?

This H-1B filing is for a position located in Otsego, Minnesota. The employing company, Integrated Care Service, is headquartered in Otsego, Minnesota.

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 Integrated Care Service, located in Otsego, Minnesota. Integrated Care Service filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-23030-736966) for a Direct Support Professional position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all Integrated Care Service H-1B filings.

What does LCA “Certified” mean?

Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Integrated Care Service 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.

Related Guides