Salinas Valley Urology Associates · Salinas, California
Case #I-202-21207-481997
In FY2021, Salinas Valley Urology Associates sought H-1B1 SINGAPORE sponsorship for a CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant in Salinas, California at $40k per year, which is 1% above the prevailing wage of $39k. The case was certified in 7 days during the FY FY2021 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-202-21207-481997 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B1 SINGAPORE |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2021 |
| Employer | Salinas Valley Urology Associates |
| Employer Location | Salinas, California |
| Job Title | CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant |
| SOC Code | 29-201200 – Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians |
| Worksite | Salinas, California |
| Annual Wage | $40k – $52k |
| Prevailing Wage | $39k |
| Wage Premium | +0.7% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant | $52k | DENIED | Jul 5, 2021 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Salinas Valley Urology Associates for the position of CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant in Salinas, California. The offered annual salary is $40k, compared to the prevailing wage of $39k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +0.7% 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, Salinas Valley Urology Associates filed LCA case number I-202-21207-481997 to sponsor a CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant position at their worksite in Salinas, 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 $40k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $39k for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians positions in the Salinas, California area. The positive wage premium of +0.7% 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 Salinas Valley Urology Associates's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $40k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant positions in the Salinas, 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 Jul 23, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Jul 30, 2021, 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 $40k for this CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant position provides a data point for evaluating compensation trends in H-1B1 SINGAPORE 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 29-201200 (Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians), 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 CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant position at Salinas Valley Urology Associates is $40k to $52k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $39k. The offered wage represents a +0.7% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B1 SINGAPORE filing is for a position located in Salinas, California. The employing company, Salinas Valley Urology Associates, is headquartered in Salinas, California.
This Labor Condition Application is filed under the H-1B1 SINGAPORE 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 Salinas Valley Urology Associates, located in Salinas, California. Salinas Valley Urology Associates filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-202-21207-481997) for a CLIA- Covid Laboratory Assistant position during fiscal year FY 2021. View all Salinas Valley Urology Associates H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Salinas Valley Urology Associates 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.