Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory · Cambridge, Massachusetts
Case #I-200-21180-433852
A Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) position at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts was filed at $72k per year, offering 29% above the prevailing wage of $56k. The case was certified in 8 days during the FY FY2021 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-21180-433852 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2021 |
| Employer | Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory |
| Employer Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Job Title | Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) |
| SOC Code | 19-201100 – Astronomers |
| Worksite | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Annual Wage | $72k |
| Prevailing Wage | $56k |
| Wage Premium | +28.5% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 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| IT Specialist | $131k | CERTIFIED - WITHDRAWN | Mar 3, 2025 |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 (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The offered annual salary is $72k, compared to the prevailing wage of $56k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +28.5% 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, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory filed LCA case number I-200-21180-433852 to sponsor a Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) 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 $72k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $56k for Astronomers positions in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. The positive wage premium of +28.5% 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 Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $72k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) positions in the Cambridge, 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 Jun 29, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Jul 7, 2021, a processing time of approximately 8 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 $72k for this Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) 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 19-201100 (Astronomers), 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 (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) position at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is $72k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $56k. The offered wage represents a +28.5% 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-200-21180-433852) for a Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) position during fiscal year FY 2021. View all Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 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.