Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC · Hobbs, New Mexico
Case #I-200-23158-086677
In FY2023, Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC sought H-1B sponsorship for a Senior Operation Engineer in Hobbs, New Mexico at $96k per year, which is 21% above the prevailing wage of $80k. The case was certified in 68 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-200-23158-086677 |
| Case Status | Certified - Withdrawn |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2023 |
| Employer | Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC |
| Employer Location | Hobbs, New Mexico |
| Job Title | Senior Operation Engineer |
| SOC Code | 17-217100 – Petroleum Engineers |
| Worksite | Hobbs, New Mexico |
| Annual Wage | $96k – $100k |
| Prevailing Wage | $80k |
| Wage Premium | +21.2% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations Engineer II | $68k | CERTIFIED | Oct 7, 2020 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC for the position of Senior Operation Engineer in Hobbs, New Mexico. The offered annual salary is $96k, compared to the prevailing wage of $80k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +21.2% 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Case status: Certified - Withdrawn.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, Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC filed LCA case number I-200-23158-086677 to sponsor a Senior Operation Engineer position at their worksite in Hobbs, New Mexico. 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 $96k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $80k for Petroleum Engineers positions in the Hobbs, New Mexico area. The positive wage premium of +21.2% 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 Jun 7, 2023 and a decision was rendered on Aug 14, 2023, a processing time of approximately 68 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 $96k for this Senior Operation 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 17-217100 (Petroleum 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.
The offered annual salary for this Senior Operation Engineer position at Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC is $96k to $100k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $80k. The offered wage represents a +21.2% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Hobbs, New Mexico. The employing company, Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC, is headquartered in Hobbs, New Mexico.
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 Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC, located in Hobbs, New Mexico. Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-23158-086677) for a Senior Operation Engineer position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC 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.