University of Montana · Missoula, Montana
Case #I-200-22280-517480
University of Montana filed an H-1B petition for a Lead Chinese Language & Culture Instructor position in Missoula, Montana at $72k per year — 5% above the prevailing wage of $69k. The case was certified in 10 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-22280-517480 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2023 |
| Employer | University of Montana |
| Employer Location | Missoula, Montana |
| Job Title | Lead Chinese Language & Culture Instructor |
| SOC Code | 25-112400 – Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| Worksite | Missoula, Montana |
| Annual Wage | $72k |
| Prevailing Wage | $69k |
| Wage Premium | +5.1% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $59k | CERTIFIED | Aug 13, 2025 |
| Assistant Director of the Grizzly Scholarship Association | $51k | CERTIFIED | Jun 9, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor | $48k | CERTIFIED | Jun 4, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor in Management and Marketing | $66k | CERTIFIED | May 7, 2025 |
| Post-Doctoral Research Associate | $50k | CERTIFIED | May 7, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by University of Montana for the position of Lead Chinese Language & Culture Instructor in Missoula, Montana. The offered annual salary is $72k, compared to the prevailing wage of $69k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +5.1% 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, University of Montana filed LCA case number I-200-22280-517480 to sponsor a Lead Chinese Language & Culture Instructor position at their worksite in Missoula, Montana. 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 $69k for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary positions in the Missoula, Montana area. The positive wage premium of +5.1% 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 University of Montana'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 Lead Chinese Language & Culture Instructor positions in the Missoula, Montana 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 Oct 7, 2022 and a decision was rendered on Oct 17, 2022, a processing time of approximately 10 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 Lead Chinese Language & Culture Instructor 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 25-112400 (Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary), 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 Lead Chinese Language & Culture Instructor position at University of Montana is $72k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $69k. The offered wage represents a +5.1% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Missoula, Montana. The employing company, University of Montana, is headquartered in Missoula, Montana.
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 University of Montana, located in Missoula, Montana. University of Montana filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-22280-517480) for a Lead Chinese Language & Culture Instructor position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all University of Montana H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that University of Montana 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.