University of Northern Iowa · Cedar Falls, Iowa
Case #I-200-22182-328530
In FY2022, University of Northern Iowa sought H-1B sponsorship for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Cedar Falls, Iowa at $51k per year, which is 1% above the prevailing wage of $51k. The case was certified in 10 days during the FY FY2022 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-22182-328530 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2022 |
| Employer | University of Northern Iowa |
| Employer Location | Cedar Falls, Iowa |
| Job Title | Postdoctoral Scholar |
| SOC Code | 19-302200 – Survey Researchers |
| Worksite | Cedar Falls, Iowa |
| Annual Wage | $51k |
| Prevailing Wage | $51k |
| Wage Premium | +1.2% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations Improvement & Funding Coordinator | $55k | CERTIFIED | Sep 2, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor of Instruction in Applied Engineering | $55k | CERTIFIED | Jul 15, 2025 |
| Instructor of Marketing | $105k | CERTIFIED | Jun 18, 2025 |
| Residence Life Coordinator | $45k | CERTIFIED | Jun 17, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor of Physics and Engineering | $72k | CERTIFIED | May 28, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by University of Northern Iowa for the position of Postdoctoral Scholar in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The offered annual salary is $51k, compared to the prevailing wage of $51k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +1.2% 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. 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 Northern Iowa filed LCA case number I-200-22182-328530 to sponsor a Postdoctoral Scholar position at their worksite in Cedar Falls, Iowa. 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 $51k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $51k for Survey Researchers positions in the Cedar Falls, Iowa area. The positive wage premium of +1.2% 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" status means the DOL has reviewed University of Northern Iowa's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $51k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Postdoctoral Scholar positions in the Cedar Falls, Iowa 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 Jul 1, 2022 and a decision was rendered on Jul 11, 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 $51k for this Postdoctoral Scholar 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 19-302200 (Survey Researchers), 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 Postdoctoral Scholar position at University of Northern Iowa is $51k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $51k. The offered wage represents a +1.2% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The employing company, University of Northern Iowa, is headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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 Northern Iowa, located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. University of Northern Iowa filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-22182-328530) for a Postdoctoral Scholar position during fiscal year FY 2022. View all University of Northern Iowa H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that University of Northern Iowa 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.