North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. · Chelsea, Massachusetts
Case #I-201-21323-717442
In FY2022, North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. sought H-1B1 CHILE sponsorship for a Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) in Chelsea, Massachusetts at $50k per year, which is 12% above the prevailing wage of $44k. The case was certified in 10 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-201-21323-717442 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B1 CHILE |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2022 |
| Employer | North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. |
| Employer Location | Chelsea, Massachusetts |
| Job Title | Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) |
| SOC Code | 21-102300 – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
| Worksite | Chelsea, Massachusetts |
| Annual Wage | $50k |
| Prevailing Wage | $44k |
| Wage Premium | +12.0% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 1 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) | $50k | DENIED | Nov 15, 2021 |
| Care Coordinator | $64k | CERTIFIED | Jun 23, 2022 |
| Clinician | $61k | CERTIFIED | May 17, 2022 |
| Residential Program Director | $63k | CERTIFIED | Apr 26, 2022 |
| In-Home Therapy Clinician | $78k | CERTIFIED | Apr 15, 2022 |
View all North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. filings →
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. for the position of Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The offered annual salary is $50k, compared to the prevailing wage of $44k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +12.0% 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, North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. filed LCA case number I-201-21323-717442 to sponsor a Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) position at their worksite in Chelsea, Massachusetts. 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 $50k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $44k for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions in the Chelsea, Massachusetts area. The positive wage premium of +12.0% 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 North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc.'s attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $50k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) positions in the Chelsea, Massachusetts 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 Nov 19, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Nov 29, 2021, a processing time of approximately 10 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 $50k for this Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) position provides a data point for evaluating compensation trends in H-1B1 CHILE 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 21-102300 (Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers), 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 Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) position at North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. is $50k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $44k. The offered wage represents a +12.0% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B1 CHILE filing is for a position located in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The employing company, North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc., is headquartered in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
This Labor Condition Application is filed under the H-1B1 CHILE visa classification. This visa classification allows employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupation positions in the United States.
The employer for this filing is North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc., located in Chelsea, Massachusetts. North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-201-21323-717442) for a Child Outpatient Therapist (Clinician) position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Inc. H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that North Suffolk Mental Health Association, 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.