WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY · Cullowhee, North Carolina
Case #I-200-23164-104537
A Assistant Professor-Natural Resources Conservation & Mgmt position at WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY in Cullowhee, North Carolina was filed at $66k per year, offering 17% above the prevailing wage of $57k. The case was certified in 7 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for new employment.
| Case Number | I-200-23164-104537 |
| Case Status | Certified |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2023 |
| Employer | WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY |
| Employer Location | CULLOWHEE, North Carolina |
| Job Title | Assistant Professor-Natural Resources Conservation & Mgmt |
| SOC Code | 25-104300 – Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| Worksite | Cullowhee, North Carolina |
| Annual Wage | $66k |
| Prevailing Wage | $57k |
| Wage Premium | +16.7% |
| Positions | 1 (1 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering | $99k | CERTIFIED | Jun 11, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor of Scenic Design | $59k | CERTIFIED | Apr 15, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor of Engineering | $85k | CERTIFIED | Jan 30, 2025 |
| Assistant Professor of Aquatic Ecology | $69k | CERTIFIED | May 7, 2024 |
| Assistant Professor-Mathematics | $71k | CERTIFIED | May 7, 2024 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY for the position of Assistant Professor-Natural Resources Conservation & Mgmt in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The offered annual salary is $66k, compared to the prevailing wage of $57k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +16.7% 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, WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY filed LCA case number I-200-23164-104537 to sponsor a Assistant Professor-Natural Resources Conservation & Mgmt position at their worksite in Cullowhee, North Carolina. 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 $66k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $57k for Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary positions in the Cullowhee, North Carolina area. The positive wage premium of +16.7% 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 WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY's attestations and determined that the LCA meets all regulatory requirements. The employer has demonstrated that the offered wage of $66k meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Assistant Professor-Natural Resources Conservation & Mgmt positions in the Cullowhee, North Carolina 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 Jun 13, 2023 and a decision was rendered on Jun 20, 2023, a processing time of approximately 7 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 $66k for this Assistant Professor-Natural Resources Conservation & Mgmt 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 25-104300 (Forestry and Conservation Science 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 Assistant Professor-Natural Resources Conservation & Mgmt position at WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY is $66k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $57k. The offered wage represents a +16.7% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The employing company, WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, is headquartered in CULLOWHEE, North Carolina.
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 WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, located in CULLOWHEE, North Carolina. WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-23164-104537) for a Assistant Professor-Natural Resources Conservation & Mgmt position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY H-1B filings.
Certified means the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this Labor Condition Application, confirming that WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY 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.