Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory · Cambridge, Massachusetts
Case #I-200-21300-670776
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory filed an H-1B petition for a Astrophysicist position in Cambridge, Massachusetts at $143k per year — 85% above the prevailing wage of $77k. The case was certified in 44 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-200-21300-670776 |
| Case Status | Certified - Withdrawn |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2022 |
| Employer | Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory |
| Employer Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Job Title | Astrophysicist |
| SOC Code | 19-201200 – Physicists |
| Worksite | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Annual Wage | $143k – $173k |
| Prevailing Wage | $77k |
| Wage Premium | +85.4% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 1 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astrophysicist | $107k | CERTIFIED | Aug 28, 2025 |
| Electronics Engineer | $85k | CERTIFIED | Apr 28, 2025 |
| Astronomer | $121k | CERTIFIED | Mar 5, 2025 |
| IT Specialist | $131k | CERTIFIED - WITHDRAWN | Mar 3, 2025 |
| Astrophysicist | $119k | CERTIFIED | Feb 24, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for the position of Astrophysicist in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The offered annual salary is $143k, compared to the prevailing wage of $77k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +85.4% 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Case status: Certified - Withdrawn.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, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory filed LCA case number I-200-21300-670776 to sponsor a Astrophysicist position at their worksite in Cambridge, 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 $143k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $77k for Physicists positions in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. The positive wage premium of +85.4% 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 Oct 27, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Dec 10, 2021, a processing time of approximately 44 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 Astrophysicist 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 19-201200 (Physicists), 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 Astrophysicist position at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is $143k to $173k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $77k. The offered wage represents a +85.4% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The employing company, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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 Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-21300-670776) for a Astrophysicist position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 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.