The University of Alabama · Arcadia, California
Case #I-200-24194-194648
In FY2024, The University of Alabama sought H-1B sponsorship for a Geography Researcher in Arcadia, California at $75k per year, which is 34% above the prevailing wage of $56k. The case was processed in 0 days during the FY FY2024 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-24194-194648 |
| Case Status | Withdrawn |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2024 |
| Employer | The University of Alabama |
| Employer Location | Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Job Title | Geography Researcher |
| SOC Code | 19-309200 – Geographers |
| Worksite | Arcadia, California |
| Annual Wage | $75k |
| Prevailing Wage | $56k |
| Wage Premium | +34.2% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor, Population Health Data Science | $120k | CERTIFIED | Sep 12, 2025 |
| Teaching Assistant Professor, Civil, Con, and Env Eng | $76k | CERTIFIED | Sep 10, 2025 |
| Athletic Trainer II | $58k | CERTIFIED | Aug 28, 2025 |
| Engineering Researcher I | $80k | CERTIFIED | Aug 19, 2025 |
| HRIS Analyst | $65k | CERTIFIED | Aug 18, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by The University of Alabama for the position of Geography Researcher in Arcadia, California. The offered annual salary is $75k, compared to the prevailing wage of $56k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +34.2% 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Case status: Withdrawn.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, The University of Alabama filed LCA case number I-200-24194-194648 to sponsor a Geography Researcher position at their worksite in Arcadia, California. 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 $75k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $56k for Geographers positions in the Arcadia, California area. The positive wage premium of +34.2% 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.
The offered salary of $75k for this Geography Researcher 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 19-309200 (Geographers), 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 Geography Researcher position at The University of Alabama is $75k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $56k. The offered wage represents a +34.2% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Arcadia, California. The employing company, The University of Alabama, is headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
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 The University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The University of Alabama filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-24194-194648) for a Geography Researcher position during fiscal year FY 2024. View all The University of Alabama 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.