KBI Biopharma, Inc. · Durham, North Carolina
Case #I-200-25128-953502
In FY2025, KBI Biopharma, Inc. sought H-1B sponsorship for a Process Development Project Leader/Scientist II in Durham, North Carolina at $143k per year, which is 9% above the prevailing wage of $131k. The case was certified in 21 days during the FY FY2025 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-200-25128-953502 |
| Case Status | Certified - Withdrawn |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2025 |
| Employer | KBI Biopharma, Inc. |
| Employer Location | Durham, North Carolina |
| Job Title | Process Development Project Leader/Scientist II |
| SOC Code | 19-102100 – Biochemists and Biophysicists |
| Worksite | Durham, North Carolina |
| Annual Wage | $143k – $158k |
| Prevailing Wage | $131k |
| Wage Premium | +9.2% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist I | $110k | CERTIFIED | Sep 15, 2025 |
| Engineer III | $120k | CERTIFIED | Aug 26, 2025 |
| Director, AFS | $190k | CERTIFIED | Aug 12, 2025 |
| Senior Research Associate | $86k | CERTIFIED | Jun 26, 2025 |
| Validation Engineer III | $110k | CERTIFIED | Jun 26, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by KBI Biopharma, Inc. for the position of Process Development Project Leader/Scientist II in Durham, North Carolina. The offered annual salary is $143k, compared to the prevailing wage of $131k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +9.2% 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Case status: Certified - Withdrawn.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, KBI Biopharma, Inc. filed LCA case number I-200-25128-953502 to sponsor a Process Development Project Leader/Scientist II position at their worksite in Durham, North Carolina. 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 $143k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $131k for Biochemists and Biophysicists positions in the Durham, North Carolina area. The positive wage premium of +9.2% 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 8, 2025 and a decision was rendered on May 29, 2025, a processing time of approximately 21 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 $143k for this Process Development Project Leader/Scientist II 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 19-102100 (Biochemists and Biophysicists), 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 Process Development Project Leader/Scientist II position at KBI Biopharma, Inc. is $143k to $158k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $131k. The offered wage represents a +9.2% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Durham, North Carolina. The employing company, KBI Biopharma, Inc., is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.
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 KBI Biopharma, Inc., located in Durham, North Carolina. KBI Biopharma, Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-25128-953502) for a Process Development Project Leader/Scientist II position during fiscal year FY 2025. View all KBI Biopharma, Inc. 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.