CERTIFIED - WITHDRAWN H-1B FY 2025

Microbiologist II

SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · Fairfield, New Jersey

Case #I-200-25181-143196

SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC. filed an H-1B petition for a Microbiologist II position in Fairfield, New Jersey at $60k per year — 0% above the prevailing wage of $60k. The case was certified in 51 days during the FY FY2025 cycle. This position is for continued employment.

$60k
Annual Salary
$60k
Prevailing Wage
0.0%
Wage Premium
1
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-200-25181-143196
Case StatusCertified - Withdrawn
Visa ClassH-1B
Fiscal YearFY 2025
EmployerSGS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Employer LocationBloomfield, New Jersey
Job TitleMicrobiologist II
SOC Code19-102200 – Microbiologists
WorksiteFairfield, New Jersey
Annual Wage$60k
Prevailing Wage$60k
Wage Premium0.0%
Positions1 (0 new, 1 continued)

Timeline

Jun 30, 2025
Received
Aug 20, 2025
Decision
Oct 1, 2025
Employment Start
Sep 30, 2028
Employment End

More Filings from SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Job TitleSalaryStatusDate
Microbiologist II $63k CERTIFIED Aug 20, 2025
Key Account Manager $83k CERTIFIED Aug 13, 2025
Lead Auditor $98k CERTIFIED Jul 23, 2025
Wireless Test Engineer $85k CERTIFIED Jul 8, 2025
Laboratory Manager $103k CERTIFIED Jun 27, 2025

View all SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC. filings →

Explore More

About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC. for the position of Microbiologist II in Fairfield, New Jersey. The offered annual salary is $60k, compared to the prevailing wage of $60k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of 0.0% 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Case status: Certified - Withdrawn. This means the employer or their representative withdrew the application.

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, SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC. filed LCA case number I-200-25181-143196 to sponsor a Microbiologist II position at their worksite in Fairfield, New Jersey. 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 $60k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $60k for Microbiologists positions in the Fairfield, New Jersey area. The positive wage premium of 0.0% 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 - Withdrawn Means for This Application

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.

Processing Time

This LCA was received by the DOL on Jun 30, 2025 and a decision was rendered on Aug 20, 2025, a processing time of approximately 51 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.

Comparing to Industry Standards

The offered salary of $60k for this Microbiologist 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 19-102200 (Microbiologists), 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 Microbiologist II position?

The offered annual salary for this Microbiologist II position at SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC. is $60k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $60k. The offered wage represents a 0.0% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Microbiologist II job located?

This H-1B filing is for a position located in Fairfield, New Jersey. The employing company, SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC., is headquartered in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

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 SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC., located in Bloomfield, New Jersey. SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-25181-143196) for a Microbiologist II position during fiscal year FY 2025. View all SGS NORTH AMERICA, INC. H-1B filings.

What does LCA “Certified - Withdrawn” mean?

Certified-Withdrawn means this LCA was initially certified by the DOL but was subsequently withdrawn by the employer or their authorized representative.

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