Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, Virginia
Case #I-200-23130-009160
A Chief Operating Officer position at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia was filed at $230k per year, offering 54% above the prevailing wage of $150k. The case was certified in 34 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-200-23130-009160 |
| Case Status | Certified - Withdrawn |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2023 |
| Employer | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Employer Location | Richmond, Virginia |
| Job Title | Chief Operating Officer |
| SOC Code | 11-102100 – General and Operations Managers |
| Worksite | Richmond, Virginia |
| Annual Wage | $230k – $330k |
| Prevailing Wage | $150k |
| Wage Premium | +53.6% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 1 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $71k | CERTIFIED | Sep 22, 2025 |
| Associate Research Administrator | $62k | CERTIFIED | Sep 17, 2025 |
| Laboratory Safety Specialist | $65k | CERTIFIED | Sep 15, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor | $95k | CERTIFIED | Aug 28, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor | $58k | CERTIFIED | Aug 25, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Virginia Commonwealth University for the position of Chief Operating Officer in Richmond, Virginia. The offered annual salary is $230k, compared to the prevailing wage of $150k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +53.6% 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Case status: Certified - Withdrawn.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, Virginia Commonwealth University filed LCA case number I-200-23130-009160 to sponsor a Chief Operating Officer position at their worksite in Richmond, Virginia. 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 $230k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $150k for General and Operations Managers positions in the Richmond, Virginia area. The positive wage premium of +53.6% 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 May 10, 2023 and a decision was rendered on Jun 13, 2023, a processing time of approximately 34 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 $230k for this Chief Operating Officer 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 11-102100 (General and Operations Managers), 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 Chief Operating Officer position at Virginia Commonwealth University is $230k to $330k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $150k. The offered wage represents a +53.6% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Richmond, Virginia. The employing company, Virginia Commonwealth University, is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
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 Virginia Commonwealth University, located in Richmond, Virginia. Virginia Commonwealth University filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-23130-009160) for a Chief Operating Officer position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all Virginia Commonwealth University 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.