Washington College · Chestertown, Maryland
Case #I-200-24355-561160
In FY2025, Washington College sought H-1B sponsorship for a Data Specialist in Chestertown, Maryland at $62k per year, which is 0% above the prevailing wage of $62k. The case was certified in 11 days during the FY FY2025 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-24355-561160 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2025 |
| Employer | Washington College |
| Employer Location | Chestertown, Maryland |
| Job Title | Data Specialist |
| SOC Code | 15-129902 – Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians |
| Worksite | Chestertown, Maryland |
| Annual Wage | $62k |
| Prevailing Wage | $62k |
| Wage Premium | 0.0% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing | $73k | CERTIFIED | Aug 27, 2025 |
| Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry | $65k | CERTIFIED | Dec 4, 2024 |
| Assistant Sailing Coach | $35k | CERTIFIED | Aug 30, 2024 |
| Assistant Professor of Economics | $88k | CERTIFIED | Jul 8, 2024 |
| Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics | $63k | CERTIFIED | Jun 11, 2024 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Washington College for the position of Data Specialist in Chestertown, Maryland. The offered annual salary is $62k, compared to the prevailing wage of $62k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of 0.0% 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, Washington College filed LCA case number I-200-24355-561160 to sponsor a Data Specialist position at their worksite in Chestertown, Maryland. 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 $62k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $62k for Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians positions in the Chestertown, Maryland area. The positive wage premium of 0.0% 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 Washington College's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $62k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Data Specialist positions in the Chestertown, Maryland 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 Dec 20, 2024 and a decision was rendered on Dec 31, 2024, a processing time of approximately 11 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 $62k for this Data Specialist 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 15-129902 (Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians), 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 Data Specialist position at Washington College is $62k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $62k. The offered wage represents a 0.0% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Chestertown, Maryland. The employing company, Washington College, is headquartered in Chestertown, Maryland.
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 Washington College, located in Chestertown, Maryland. Washington College filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-24355-561160) for a Data Specialist position during fiscal year FY 2025. View all Washington College H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that Washington College 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.