Whole Foods Market Services, Inc. · Austin, Texas
Case #I-200-24117-931426
In FY2024, Whole Foods Market Services, Inc. sought H-1B sponsorship for a Senior Principal Data Science Analyst in Austin, Texas at $1,738k per year, which is 1193% above the prevailing wage of $134k. The case was denied in 4 days during the FY FY2024 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-200-24117-931426 |
| Case Status | Denied |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2024 |
| Employer | Whole Foods Market Services, Inc. |
| Employer Location | Austin, Texas |
| Job Title | Senior Principal Data Science Analyst |
| SOC Code | 15-205100 – Data Scientists |
| Worksite | Austin, Texas |
| Annual Wage | $1,738k – $2,955k |
| Prevailing Wage | $134k |
| Wage Premium | +1192.7% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Software Development Engineer (Packaged) | $139k | CERTIFIED | Jul 10, 2025 |
| Senior eCommerce Data Analyst | $93k | CERTIFIED | Jun 3, 2025 |
| Senior Product Analyst | $93k | CERTIFIED | May 16, 2025 |
| Principal Program Manager, E-Commerce | $121k | CERTIFIED | May 16, 2025 |
| Executive Leader, Sourcing Process & Analytics | $169k | CERTIFIED | May 8, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Whole Foods Market Services, Inc. for the position of Senior Principal Data Science Analyst in Austin, Texas. The offered annual salary is $1,738k, compared to the prevailing wage of $134k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +1192.7% 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: Denied. This means the Department of Labor has denied the application, possibly due to wage or documentation issues.
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, Whole Foods Market Services, Inc. filed LCA case number I-200-24117-931426 to sponsor a Senior Principal Data Science Analyst position at their worksite in Austin, Texas. 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 $1,738k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $134k for Data Scientists positions in the Austin, Texas area. The positive wage premium of +1192.7% 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 "Denied" status means the DOL has determined that Whole Foods Market Services, Inc.'s LCA did not meet one or more regulatory requirements. Common reasons for denial include: the offered wage falling below the prevailing wage, errors in the application, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations by the employer. The employer may correct the identified issues and submit a new LCA.
This LCA was received by the DOL on Apr 26, 2024 and a decision was rendered on Apr 30, 2024, a processing time of approximately 4 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 $1,738k for this Senior Principal Data Science Analyst 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 15-205100 (Data Scientists), 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 Senior Principal Data Science Analyst position at Whole Foods Market Services, Inc. is $1,738k to $2,955k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $134k. The offered wage represents a +1192.7% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in Austin, Texas. The employing company, Whole Foods Market Services, Inc., is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
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 Whole Foods Market Services, Inc., located in Austin, Texas. Whole Foods Market Services, Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-24117-931426) for a Senior Principal Data Science Analyst position during fiscal year FY 2024. View all Whole Foods Market Services, Inc. H-1B filings.
Denied means the U.S. Department of Labor has rejected this Labor Condition Application. Common reasons for denial include offering a wage below the prevailing wage, incomplete documentation, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations.