Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | https://medium.com/the-u-s-digital-service/meet-the-dhs-digital-service-champions-may-2018-caee7dade2b
Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | https://medium.com/the-u-s-digital-service/meet-the-dhs-digital-service-champions-may-2018-caee7dade2b
Employers are classified under industries based on their reported operations and may be involved in multiple industries.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. It is designed to address skill gaps in the U.S. workforce while ensuring wage standards to protect both U.S. and H-1B workers. Employers must certify that they will pay H-1B workers wages equal to or greater than those of similarly qualified U.S. employees or the prevailing local wage.
The average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States in 2024 stood at 98%, slightly higher than 2023's 97.3%. Locally, employers across all industries located within the Southwest PA News publication area submitted 246 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98%.
The Information industry led the H-1B filings in the Southwest PA News publication area during 2024, with 106 petitions (43.1% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 97.2%. Meanwhile, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 90 petitions (36.6% of the total), with an approval rate of 97.8%.
Among local employers with petitions categorized under the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector during 2024, Ness USA, Inc. stood out with 37 petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Cogent Infotech Corporation with 17 petitions and an approval rate of 88.2%.
Compared to 2023, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector in the Southwest PA News publication area saw a 10% decrease in the number of H-1B petitions during 2024.
The United States admits around 1 million legal immigrants annually, most of whom receive permanent residence (green cards) through family sponsorship or employment-based visas. In 2023, about 1.2 million immigrants were granted green cards, a return to pre-pandemic levels. Temporary visa programs, such as the H-1B for highly skilled workers and H-2A for seasonal agricultural workers, also play a critical role in filling workforce needs.
Public opinion on immigration varies, with 46% of Americans favoring maintaining current legal immigration levels, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. Additionally, 42% believe that highly skilled workers, such as scientists, doctors, and programmers, should be prioritized for legal immigration, compared to 25% who prioritize workers filling labor shortages and 19% who emphasize family sponsorship. Despite this, family sponsorship remains the most common path to permanent residency, accounting for 63% of green cards issued in 2023.
The data in this article comes from the H-1B Employer Data Hub provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While USCIS strives for accuracy, manual data entry and errors on paper forms submitted by applicants or petitioners may result in discrepancies in employer names, tax IDs, locations, or other details.
| Rank | Industry | Total Petitions | % of All Submissions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Information | 106 | 43.1% | 97.2% | 2.8% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 90 | 36.6% | 97.8% | 2.2% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 32 | 13% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 6 | 2.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Educational Services | 5 | 2% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Retail Trade | 2 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Construction | 1 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industries | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ansys, Inc. | Information | 100 | 97% | 3% |
| Ness USA, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 37 | 100% | 0% |
| Cogent Infotech Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 17 | 88.2% | 11.8% |
| Accion Labs US, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 10 | 100% | 0% |
| Suntec Business Solutions, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 10 | 100% | 0% |
| Mylan, Inc. | Manufacturing | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| National Rubber Corporation | Manufacturing | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| AK ITM Consulting Services, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Pennsylvania Transformer Technolog | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Aquatech International, LLC | Information, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| SMG Global Circuits, Inc. | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Starshr, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Aimpoint Digital LP | Information, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Laxmi Narayana Corporation | Retail Trade | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Washington Jefferson College | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Norstan Communications D B a B, Inc. | Information | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Pennsylvania Western University | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Otodata Technologies USA, Inc. | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| West Penn Allegheny Health System | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Thermo-Calc Software, Inc. | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Starline Holdings, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Visvero, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Process Hvac Solutions, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pittsburgh Kidney Care, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Washington Penn Plastic Company, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Peters Township School District | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Penn Highlands Mon Valley | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Norstan Communications, Inc. | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Nicholson Construction Company | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ametek, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Mylan Technologies, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Jefferson Regional Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Innovative Electronics Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Hotronix, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Equitrans Midstream Corporation | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Development Dimensions International, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Blackrock Resources, LLC | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| CNX Gas Company, LLC | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Centimark Corporation | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Centerville Clinics, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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