DENIED H-1B FY 2022

Chief Engineer

Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services · Hartford, Wisconsin

Case #I-200-22052-918686

In FY2022, Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services sought H-1B sponsorship for a Chief Engineer in Hartford, Wisconsin at $150k per year, which is 9% above the prevailing wage of $137k. The case was denied in 2 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for continued employment.

$150k
Annual Salary
$137k
Prevailing Wage
+9.1%
Wage Premium
1
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-200-22052-918686
Case StatusDenied
Visa ClassH-1B
Fiscal YearFY 2022
EmployerSarens Nuclear & Industrial Services
Employer LocationHouston, Texas
Job TitleChief Engineer
SOC Code17-216100 – Nuclear Engineers
WorksiteHartford, Wisconsin
Annual Wage$150k
Prevailing Wage$137k
Wage Premium+9.1%
Positions1 (0 new, 0 continued)

Timeline

Feb 21, 2022
Received
Feb 23, 2022
Decision
Mar 1, 2022
Employment Start
Nov 9, 2024
Employment End

More Filings from Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services

Job TitleSalaryStatusDate
Chief Engineer $162k CERTIFIED Mar 4, 2022
Chief Engineer $155k CERTIFIED Feb 24, 2022

View all Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services filings →

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About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services for the position of Chief Engineer in Hartford, Wisconsin. The offered annual salary is $150k, compared to the prevailing wage of $137k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +9.1% 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: Denied. This means the Department of Labor has denied the application, possibly due to wage or documentation issues.

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, Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services filed LCA case number I-200-22052-918686 to sponsor a Chief Engineer position at their worksite in Hartford, Wisconsin. 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 $150k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $137k for Nuclear Engineers positions in the Hartford, Wisconsin area. The positive wage premium of +9.1% 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 Denied Means for This Application

A "Denied" status means the DOL has determined that Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services's LCA did not meet one or more regulatory requirements. Common reasons for denial include: the offered wage falling below the prevailing wage, errors in the application, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations by the employer. The employer may correct the identified issues and submit a new LCA.

Processing Time

This LCA was received by the DOL on Feb 21, 2022 and a decision was rendered on Feb 23, 2022, a processing time of approximately 2 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 $150k for this Chief Engineer 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 17-216100 (Nuclear Engineers), 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for this Chief Engineer position?

The offered annual salary for this Chief Engineer position at Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services is $150k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $137k. The offered wage represents a +9.1% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Chief Engineer job located?

This H-1B filing is for a position located in Hartford, Wisconsin. The employing company, Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services, is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

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 Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services, located in Houston, Texas. Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-22052-918686) for a Chief Engineer position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all Sarens Nuclear & Industrial Services H-1B filings.

What does LCA “Denied” mean?

Denied means the U.S. Department of Labor has rejected this Labor Condition Application. Common reasons for denial include offering a wage below the prevailing wage, incomplete documentation, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations.

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