Characteristics of H-1B Specialty 

Occupation Workers

Fiscal Year 2013 Annual Report to Congress 

October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013

March 24, 2014

U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services
i

 Office of Legislative Affairs

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

 Washington, DC 20528

March 24, 2014

Foreword

On behalf of the Department of Homeland Security, I am pleased to present the following report, 

“Characteristics of H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers” for Fiscal Year 2013, prepared by U.S. 

Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Pursuant to statutory requirements, this report is being provided to the following Members of 

Congress:

The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee

The Honorable Charles Grassley

Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee

The Honorable Robert W. Goodlatte

Chairman, House Judiciary Committee

The Honorable John Conyers, Jr.

Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee

Inquiries relating to this report may be directed to me at (202) 447-5890.

Respectfully,

Brian de Vallance

Acting Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs
ii

Executive Summary

The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA), 

Pub. L. No. 105-277, div. C, tit. IV § 416(c)(2), 112 Stat. 2681, imposes annual reporting 

requirements on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) concerning the countries of 

origin and occupations of, educational levels attained by, and compensation paid to, aliens who 

were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) 

of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) during the previous fiscal year (FY).

To fulfill this requirement, USCIS submits the following report for FY 2013, October 1, 2012–

September 30, 2013.

Highlights

 The number of H-1B petitions filed decreased 3 percent from 307,713 in FY 2012 to 

299,467 in FY 2013.

 The number of H-1B petitions approved increased 9 percent from 262,569 in FY 2012 to

286,773 in FY 2013.

1

 Seventy-one percent of H-1B petitions approved in FY 2013 were for workers between 

the ages of 25 and 34.

 Forty-five percent of H-1B petitions approved in FY 2013 were for workers with a 

bachelor’s degree, 41 percent had a master’s degree, 9 percent had a doctorate, and 

5 percent were for workers with a professional degree.

 Sixty percent of H-1B petitions approved in FY 2013 were for workers in computerrelated occupations.

 The median salary of beneficiaries of approved petitions increased from $70,000 for 

FY 2012 to $72,000 for FY 2013.

 

1 This number does not reflect approval versus denial rates but rather shows the number of approved petitions 

overall this year versus the number approved last year. The figures for Fiscal Year 2013 include 67,626 

petitions which were received prior to Fiscal Year 2013, but were approved in Fiscal Year 2013 (see footnote 

11). 
iii

Characteristics of H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers

Table of Contents

I. Legislative Requirement.......................................................................................................... 1

II. Background ............................................................................................................................. 2

III. Data Report ............................................................................................................................. 4

 Section 3.1 – General distribution of petitions....................................................................... 4

 Section 3.2 – Distribution of petitions by country of birth..................................................... 6

 Section 3.3 – General distribution of petitions by age............................................................ 9

 Section 3.4 – Distribution of petitions by education............................................................... 9

 Section 3.5 – Distribution of petitions by occupation.............................................................11

 Section 3.6 – Distribution of petitions by annual compensation ............................................16

 Section 3.7 – Distribution of petitions by industry.................................................................19

IV. Appendices .............................................................................................................................22

A. H-1B petition processing ..................................................................................................22

B. Data Limitations................................................................................................................22

 
1

I. Legislative Requirement

Section 416(c)(2) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998

(ACWIA), Pub. L. No. 105-277, div. C, tit. IV, 112 Stat. 2681, includes the following reporting 

requirement:2

[T]he Attorney General3shall submit on an annual basis, to the Committees on the 

Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, information on 

the countries of origin and occupations of, educational levels attained by, and 

compensation paid to, aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant 

status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act during 

the previous fiscal year.

 

2

Sections 416(c)(1) and (3) of ACWIA, Pub. L. No. 105-277, div. C, tit. IV, 112 Stat. 2681, require the submission 

of data on the number of aliens issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status pursuant to petitions filed by 

institutions or organizations described in section 212(p) of the INA. This data is included in the “Report on H1B 

Petitions” for Fiscal Year 2013. 

3 As of March 1, 2003, in accordance with section 1517 of Title XV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), 

Pub. L. No. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, any reference to the Attorney General in a provision of the Immigration and 

Nationality Act describing functions which were transferred from the Attorney General or other Department of 

Justice official to the Department of Homeland Security by the HSA “shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary” of 

Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. § 557 (2003) (codifying HSA, Title XV, § 1517).
2

II. Background

An H-1B temporary worker is an alien admitted to the United States to perform services in a 

“specialty occupation.”4

The H-1B nonimmigrant classification is a vehicle through which a qualified alien may seek 

admission to the United States on a temporary basis to work in his or her field of expertise. An 

H-1B petition can be filed for an alien to perform services in a specialty occupation, services 

relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project or 

coproduction project, or services of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion 

modeling. Prior to employing an H-1B temporary worker, the U.S. employer must first file a 

Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor (DOL) and then file an H-1B 

petition with USCIS.5 The LCA specifies the job, salary, length, and geographic location of 

employment. The employer must agree to pay the alien the greater of the actual or prevailing 

wage for the position.

To qualify as a specialty occupation, the position must meet one of the following requirements: 

(1) a bachelor’s or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum entry requirement for 

the position; (2) the degree requirement is common to the industry in parallel positions among 

similar organizations or, in the alternative, the position is so complex or unique that it can be 

performed only by an individual with a degree; (3) the employer normally requires a degree or its 

equivalent for the position; or (4) the nature of the specific duties is so specialized and complex 

that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with attainment of a 

bachelor’s or higher degree. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A). 

In order to perform services in a specialty occupation, an alien must meet one of the following 

criteria: (1) hold a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree as required by the specialty occupation from 

an accredited college or university; (2) possess a foreign degree determined to be equivalent to a 

U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree as required by the specialty occupation from an accredited 

college or university; (3) have any required license or other official permission to practice the 

occupation (for example, architect, surveyor, physical therapist) in the state in which 

employment is sought; or (4) have education, specialized training, or progressively responsible 

experience (or a combination thereof) that is equivalent to completion of a U.S. bachelor’s 

degree or higher in the specialty occupation, and have recognition of expertise through 

progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty occupation. See 8 CFR 

214.2(h)(4)(iii)(C). Specialty occupations may include, but are not limited to, computer systems 

analysts and programmers, physicians, professors, engineers, and accountants. See 8 CFR 

214.2(h)(4)(ii).

 

4

Section 214(i)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(i)(1), defines a specialty occupation as “an occupation that requires 

(A) the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and (B) attainment of a 

bachelor’s or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in 

the United States.” 

5 An LCA is not required for petitions involving DOD cooperative research and development projects or 

coproduction projects. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(vi)(A)(2). 
3

Although USCIS is responsible for evaluating an alien’s qualifications for the H-1B 

classification and effecting a change of nonimmigrant status for aliens already in the United 

States in another nonimmigrant classification, approval of an H-1B petition does not guarantee 

issuance of an H-1B visa or admission to the United States in H-1B status. The responsibility 

for visa issuance rests primarily with the U.S. Department of State (DOS), which determines 

whether a prospective alien employee is eligible for issuance of a visa at a U.S. Embassy or 

Consulate abroad after the H-1B petition has been approved by USCIS. Determinations of 

whether to admit an alien in H-1B status are made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

(CBP) at a port-of-entry. Possession of a visa does not guarantee admission.

An alien generally may be admitted to the United States in H-1B status for a maximum period of 

six years, see INA 214(g)(4); however, each H-1B petition may only be approved for a 

maximum period of three years. 6 See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(iii)(A)(1). The H-1B petition may be 

used to sponsor an alien for an initial period of H-1B employment or to extend or change the 

authorized stay of an alien previously admitted to the United States in H-1B status or another 

nonimmigrant status. An employer may file the petition to sponsor an alien who currently has 

H-1B nonimmigrant status working for another employer or amend a previously approved 

petition. Therefore, the total number of approved petitions in any given fiscal year may exceed 

the actual number of aliens who are provided nonimmigrant status in the H-1B classification. At 

the end of the six-year period, the alien must either change to a different status (if eligible) or 

depart the United States, unless otherwise exempt.

7

 USCIS regulations provide that an alien who 

has resided and been physically present outside the United States for at least one year may be 

eligible for a new six-year period of admission in H-1B status. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(13)(iii)(A). 

When the H-1B category was enacted in 1990, Congress set a maximum of 65,000 aliens who 

could be issued H-1B visas or otherwise provided H-1B status during each fiscal year. This 

limitation, commonly referred to as the “H-1B cap,” does not apply to H-1B petitions filed on 

behalf of certain aliens who have previously been counted against the cap. Thus, generally, a 

petition to extend an H-1B nonimmigrant’s period of stay, change the conditions of the H-1B 

nonimmigrant’s current employment, or request new H-1B employment for an H-1B worker 

already in the United States will not count against the H-1B fiscal year cap. An approved 

petition for initial employment is also exempt from the cap if the petitioner is an institution of 

higher education or nonprofit entity affiliated with or related to an institution of higher 

education, or if the petitioner is a nonprofit research organization or governmental research 

organization. See INA 214(g)(5), 8 USC 1184(g)(5)(C).

The Immigration Act of 1990, ACWIA, and the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first 

Century Act of 2000 (AC21), made significant changes to policy and procedure governing the 

 

6 An alien involved in DOD cooperative research and development projects or coproduction projects may be 

admitted to the United States in H-1B status for a maximum period of ten years, see 8 CFR 214.2(h)(13)(iii)(B); 

however, the H-1B petition may only be approved for a maximum period of five years. See 8 CFR 

214.2(h)(9)(iii)(A)(2).

7 Certain aliens are exempt from the 6-year maximum period of admission under the provisions of the American 

Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21), Pub. L. No. 106-313, 114 Stat. 1251. 
4

H-1B classification, including providing temporary increases in the fiscal year limitations on the 

number of aliens who may be issued H-1B visas or otherwise provided H-1B status and 

providing certain exemptions to these limitations. Under ACWIA, the annual ceiling was 

increased from 65,000 to 115,000 in FYs 1999 and 2000 and to 107,500 in FY 2001. AC21 

raised the limit in FY 2001, FY 2002, and FY 2003 to 195,000. Starting in FY 2004, the H-1B 

cap reverted to 65,000 per fiscal year and remains at that level.8 These statutory provisions also 

provided for certain exemptions from the fiscal year H-1B cap, as described above. The H-1B 

Visa Reform Act of 2004 mandated that up to 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of aliens with 

U.S.-earned masters or higher degrees will be exempt from each fiscal year’s H-1B cap. See

INA 214(g)(5)(C), 8 USC 1184(g)(5)(C).

III. Data Report

Section 3.1 – General distribution of petitions

During FY 2013, USCIS approved 286,773 H-1B petitions submitted by employers on behalf of 

alien workers. The number of approved petitions exceeds the number of individual H-1B 

workers sponsored because of the different types of petitions that can be filed (e.g., requests for 

concurrent employment with another employer, requests for extension of stay, amended 

petitions). 

Table 1 shows for FYs 2010 to 2013 the number of petitions filed for initial and continuing 

employment and the number of petitions approved for initial and continuing employment. Of the 

petitions approved in 2013, a total of 128,291 petitions, or 45 percent, were for initial 

employment.9 The corresponding number of petitions for continuing employment was 158,482.

10

 

A worker may have had a second (or subsequent) petition filed on his or her behalf to: 1) extend 

the period allowed to work with their current employer; 2) notify USCIS of changes in the 

conditions of employment, including a change of employer; or 3) request concurrent H-1B status 

with another employer.

 

8 Each fiscal year, up to 1,400 H-1B visa numbers are set aside for nationals of Chile and up to 5,400 are set aside 

for nationals of Singapore under the provisions of free trade agreements between the U.S. and each country. See

INA 214(g)(8)(B)(ii), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(8)(B)(ii). In addition, there is a limit of no more than 100 aliens in the U.S. 

at any time performing services in a DOD cooperative research and development projects or coproduction projects. 

See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(i)(B).

9 The terms “initial employment” and “continuing employment” are used throughout this report to identify two types 

of petitions. Petitions for initial employment are filed for first-time H-1B employment with an employer, only some 

of which are applied to the annual cap. Examples of petitions for initial employment that are exempt from the cap 

include petitions submitted by nonprofit research organizations or governmental research organizations. Continuing 

employment petitions refer to extensions, sequential employment, and concurrent employment, which are filed for 

aliens already in the United States. Extensions generally are filed for H-1B workers intending to work beyond the 

initial 3-year period up to a total of six years, the maximum period generally permissible under law. Sequential 

employment refers to petitions for workers transferring between H-1B employers within the 6-year period. Finally, 

petitions for concurrent employment are filed for H-1B workers intending to work simultaneously for an additional

H-1B employer.

10 Neither AC21 nor prior legislation established a cap on H-1B petitions for continuing employment.
5

The number of H-1B petitions filed decreased 3 percent and petitions approved increased by 9

percent between FYs 2012 and 2013. For initial employment, petitions filed decreased 16

percent and petitions approved decreased by 6 percent. Petitions filed for continuing 

employment increased 11 percent and petitions approved increased by 21 percent.

Table 1. H-1B Petitions Filed and Approved by Type of Petition:

FYs 2010 to 2013

FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013

Petitions filed 247,617 267,654 307,713 299,467

 Initial Employment 99,146 114,529 155,292 130,034

 Continuing Employment 148,471 153,125 152,421 169,433

Petitions approved11 192,990 269,653 262,569 286,773

 Initial Employment 76,627 106,445 136,890 128,291

 Continuing Employment 116,363 163,208 125,679 158,482

Table 2 shows the number of H-1B petitions filed by quarter in FYs 2010 to 2013. More than 

eighty-three percent of filings for initial employment occurred in the third quarter of FY 2013, 

when the cap-subject petition filing season opened. Sixty-one percent of filings for continuing 

employment were received in the third and fourth quarters of FY 2013. 

Table 2. H-1B Petitions Filed by Quarter:

FYs 2010 to 2013

Quarter FY

2010

FY

2011

FY

2012

FY

2013

FY 2013

Initial

Employment

Percent

of Total

FY 2013 

Continuing

Employment

Percent

of Total

Total 247,617 267,654 307,713 299,467 130,034 100 169,433 100

October-December 50,790 55,781 65,186 40,048 6,152 4.7 33,896 20.0

January-March 34,313 44,995 36,217 39,433 6,377 4.9 33,056 19.5

April-June 88,501 86,716 150,104 159,380 108,927 83.8 50,453 29.8

July-September 74,013 80,162 56,206 60,606 8,578 6.6 52,028 30.7

Note: Sum of the percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.

 

11 These figures represent all approved petitions during the respective fiscal year, irrespective of whether the petition 

was filed in the same or in a previous fiscal year. To illustrate, in FY 2013, USCIS received 299,467, but approved 

286,773 petitions. Of the 286,773 petitions that were approved, 219,147 were received in FY 2013, whereas 67, 626 

petitions were received prior to FY 2013. 
6

Table 3 provides a breakdown of approved petitions in FYs 2010 to 2013 by type of petition. 

128,291 H-1B beneficiaries were approved for initial employment and 158,482 for continuing 

employment in FY 2013. 

The number of aliens outside the United States approved for initial employment decreased nearly

8 percent from 74,997 in FY 2012 to 68,785 in FY 2013. The corresponding number of petitions 

approved for aliens in the United States requesting a change to H-1B status decreased by 4

percent to 59,506 in 2013.

Table 3. H-1B Petitions Approved by Type:

FYs 2010 to 2013

Petitions Approved

Type of Petition FY2010 Percent FY2011 Percent FY2012 Percent FY2013 Percent

Total 192,990 100 269,653 100 262,569 100 286,773 100

Initial 

employment 76,627 40 106,445 39 136,890 52 128,291 45

Aliens outside 

U.S. 34,848 18 48,665 18 74,997 28 68,785 24

 

Aliens in U.S. 41,779 22 57,780 21 61,893 24 59,506 21

Continuing 

employment 116,363 60 163,208 61 125,679 48 158,482 55

Note: Sum of the percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Section 3.2 – Distribution of petitions by country of birth

Tables 4A and 4B show the distribution of beneficiaries by country of birth.12 Of the H-1B 

petitions approved in FY 2013, 65 percent reported that the beneficiary was born in India. The 

second most prevalent country of birth of H-1B beneficiaries was the People’s Republic of 

China, representing 8 percent of all beneficiaries. The number of beneficiaries from India 

approved for initial employment increased less than 1 percent in 2013, while the number of 

beneficiaries approved for continuing employment increased 1 percent in FY 2013. 

 

12 Data represent countries and territories of birth.
7

Table 4A. H-1B Petitions Approved by Country of Birth of Beneficiary and Type of 

Petition (Number): FYs 2012 and 2013

All Beneficiaries Initial Employment Continuing Employment

Country of Birth FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013

Number Number Number Number Number Number

Total 262,569 286,773 136,890 128,291 125,679 158,482

India 168,367 187,270 86,477 81,992 81,890 105,278

China, People's Republic 19,850 23,429 11,409 12,651 8,441 10,778

Canada 7,999 7,971 3,660 3,096 4,339 4,875

Philippines 5,304 6,152 1,863 1,673 3,441 4,479

South Korea 4,579 4,843 2,662 2,310 1,917 2,533

United Kingdom 3,535 3,680 2,013 1,595 1,522 2,085

Mexico 3,047 3,114 1,528 1,260 1,519 1,854

Taiwan 2,387 2,470 1,368 1,260 1,019 1,210

Japan 2,542 2,464 1,171 929 1,371 1,535

France 2,232 2,322 1,377 1,161 855 1,161

Pakistan 1,997 2,147 851 851 1,146 1,296

Germany 1,816 1,767 1,083 900 733 867

Turkey 1,774 1,683 989 801 785 882

Nepal 1,636 1,652 932 844 704 808

Brazil 1,712 1,649 996 765 716 884

Italy 1,332 1,381 804 760 528 621

Colombia 1,392 1,361 623 529 769 832

Russia 1,321 1,313 829 741 492 572

Venezuela 1,494 1,310 807 583 687 727

Spain 1,015 1,188 632 716 383 472

Other countries 27,238 27,607 14,816 12,874 12,422 14,733

Note: Countries of birth are ranked based on FY 2013 data. 
8

Table 4B. H-1B Petitions Approved by Country of Birth of Beneficiary and Type of 

Petition (Percent): FYs 2012 and 2013

All Beneficiaries Initial Employment Continuing Employment

Country of Birth FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

Total ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

Country of birth 100 100 100 100 100 100

India 64.1 65.3 63.2 63.9 65.2 66.4

China, People's Republic 7.6 8.2 8.3 9.9 6.7 6.8

Canada 3.0 2.8 2.7 2.4 3.5 3.1

Philippines 2.0 2.2 1.4 1.3 2.7 2.8

South Korea 1.7 1.7 1.9 1.8 1.5 1.6

United Kingdom 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.3

Mexico 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.2

Taiwan 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.8

Japan 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.7 1.1 1.0

France 0.9 0.8 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.7

Pakistan 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.9 0.8

Germany 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6

Turkey 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6

Nepal 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.5

Brazil 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6

Italy 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4

Colombia 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.5

Russia 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4

Venezuela 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5

Spain 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.3

Other countries 10.4 9.6 10.8 10.0 9.9 9.2

Notes: Countries of birth are ranked based on FY 2013 data. 

 Sum of the percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.
9

Section 3.3 – Distribution of petitions by age

Table 5 shows the age distribution of the H-1B beneficiaries in FY 2013 by type of petition. 

Seventy-one percent of workers granted H-1B status during FY 2013 were between 25 and 34 

years of age at the time their petitions were approved. Over 54 percent of initial beneficiaries 

were under 30, compared with over 29 percent of continuing beneficiaries.

Table 5. H-1B Petitions Approved by Age of Beneficiary at Time of Approval

and by Type of Petition: FY 2013

Age All

Beneficiaries

Percent Initial

Employment

Percent Continuing 

Employment

Percent

Total 286,773 128,291 158,482

Age known 286,763 100 128,284 100 158,479 100

Under 20 61 0.02 40 0.03 21 0.01

20-24 13,065 4.56 11,960 9.32 1,105 0.7

25-29 102,499 35.74 57,276 44.65 45,223 28.54

30-34 100,921 35.19 37,607 29.32 63,314 39.95

35-39 45,836 15.98 14,069 10.97 31,767 20.04

40-44 14,889 5.19 4,377 3.41 10,512 6.63

45-49 5,535 1.93 1,678 1.31 3,857 2.43

50-54 2,403 0.84 745 0.58 1,658 1.05

55-59 956 0.33 334 0.26 622 .39

60-64 413 0.14 136 0.11 277 .17

65 and over 185 0.06 62 0.05 123 0.08

Age unknown 10 ------ 7 ------ 3 ------

Notes: Anyone reported as under 16 years old and not a fashion model was assumed to be of unknown age.

Age of beneficiary is calculated based on the date the petition was approved.

Sum of the percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.

 Percentages shown in the table are based on the total number of approved petitions with known ages.

Section 3.4 – Distribution of petitions by education

Tables 6 and 7 show the highest level of education achieved by the beneficiaries at the time of 

filing the petition. Employers are asked to provide the highest degree (domestic or foreign)

when completing the H-1B petition, but not training or experience deemed equivalent to a 

degree. The reporting of a domestic or foreign degree is not required in a standard format on 

USCIS or DOL forms. However, in nearly all cases, the petitioning employer provides the 

information in supporting documentation. For degrees earned outside the United States, the 

employer usually supplies a credential evaluation stating that the foreign degree is “equivalent 
10

to” a particular U.S. degree. USCIS does not maintain separate data regarding whether the 

degree was earned in the United States or abroad. (Data on beneficiaries with U.S. advanced 

degrees has been available since May 2005.) 

The breakdown of the highest level of education achieved by H-1B beneficiaries remained 

mostly constant between FYs 2012 and 2013. As shown in Table 6, 45 percent of all H-1B 

petitions approved for workers in FY 2013 reported that the beneficiary had earned the 

equivalent of a bachelor’s degree; 41 percent a master’s degree; 9 percent a doctorate, and 5 

percent a professional degree. Altogether, 99 percent had earned at least a bachelor’s degree,

and 55 percent had earned at least a master’s degree. 

Table 6. Percent of H-1B Petitions Approved by Level of Education:

FYs 2010-2013

Level of Education FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013

Education known 100 100 100 100

Less than a Bachelor's degree 1 1 1 1

Bachelor's degree 42 41 46 45

Master's degree 39 42 41 41

Doctorate degree 12 11 8 9

Professional degree 6 5 4 5

Note: Sum of percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Table 7. H-1B Petitions Approved by Level of Education of Beneficiary

and Type of Petition: Fiscal Year 2013

Level of Education All

Be

Percent Initial

Employment

Percent Continuing

Employment

Percent

Beneficiaries Employment Employment

Total 286,773 128,291 158,482

Education known 286,732 100 128,275 100 158,457 100

No high school diploma 111 0.04 68 0.1 43 0.03

High school graduate 273 0.1 148 0.1 125 0.1

Less than 1 year of college credit 37 0.01 15 0.01 22 0.01

1 or more years of college credit,

 no diploma 442 0.2 162 0.1 280 0.2

Associate's degree 366 0.1 121 0.1 245 0.2

Bachelor's degree 129,139 45.0 60,731 47.3 68,408 43.2

Master's degree 118,291 41.1 50,477 39.4 67,814 42.9

Doctorate degree 25,101 8.8 12,241 9.5 12,860 8.1

Professional degree 12,972 4.5 4,312 3.4 8,660 5.5

Education unknown 41 ------- 16 ------ 25 ------

Notes: Sum of the percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.
11

Percentages shown in the table are based on the number of approved petitions with known levels of 

education.

Section 3.5 – Distribution of petitions by occupation

Occupational Category

Tables 8A and 8B show the distribution of beneficiaries by occupational category for FYs 2012

and 2013. The category of computer-related occupations was the largest occupational category 

in 2013; its share of total petitions approved was 60 percent in FY 2013. The corresponding 

shares for initial employment and continuing employment in computer-related occupations were

63 and 58 percent, respectively. The top ten occupational categories representing 98 percent of 

all beneficiaries had more continuing employment than initial employment beneficiaries.

The number of H-1B petitions approved for workers in computer-related occupations remained 

mostly constant from 2012 and 2013. The number of H-1B petitions for all other occupation 

groups combined also remained mostly constant between 2012 and 2013.
12

Table 8A. H-1B Petitions Approved by Major Occupation Group of Beneficiary and Type 

of Petition (Number): Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013

All

Beneficiaries

Initial

Employment

Continuing

Employment

Occupational Category FY2012 FY2013 FY2012 FY2013 FY2012 FY2013

Number Number Number Number Number Number

Total 262,569 286,773 136,900 128,291 125,679 158,482

Occupation known 260,428 284,851 135,966 127,536 124,462 157,315

Computer-related occupations 154,869 171,613 83,444 79,870 71,425 91,743

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering

 and Surveying 26,329 27,495 13,082 11,642 13,247 15,853

Occupations in Education 17,421 20,370 8,492 8,969 8,929 10,271

Occupations in Administrative Specializations 18,204 18,771 9,781 8,500 8,423 11,401

Occupations in Medicine and Health 14,083 17,138 5,649 5,587 8,434 11,551

Managers and Officials N.E.C.* 6,060 5,775 2,921 2,079 3,139 3,696

Occupations in Mathematics and Physical Sciences 4,969 5,303 2,465 2,405 2,504 2,898

Occupations in Life Sciences 4,820 5,247 2,505 2,518 2,315 2,729

Miscellaneous Professional, Technical, and 

 Managerial 4,171 3,882 2,266 1,639 1,905 2,243

Occupations in Social Sciences 3,393 3,882 2,156 1,777 1,837 2,105

Occupations in Art 2,619 2,613 1,505 1,200 1,114 1,413

Occupations in Law and Jurisprudence 1.051 982 580 505 471 477

Occupations in Writing 681 733 385 341 296 392

Miscellaneous 463 473 265 219 198 254

Occupations in Entertainment and Recreation 212 211 119 90 93 121

Occupations in Museum, Library, and Archival 

Sciences 164 157 107 76 57 81

Occupations in Religion and Theology 154 119 93 45 61 74

Sales Promotion Occupations 165 87 151 74 14 13

Occupation unknown 2,141 1,922 924 755 1,217 1,167

Notes: Occupations ranked based on FY 2013 data. 

*N.E.C. indicates not elsewhere classified.
13

Table 8B. H-1B Petitions Approved by Major Occupation Group of Beneficiary and Type 

of Petition (Percent): FYs 2012 and 2013

All 

Beneficiaries

Initial

Employment

Continuing 

Employment

Occupational Category FY2012

Number

FY2013

Number

FY2012

Number

FY2013

Number

FY2012

Number

FY2013

Number

Occupation known 100 100 100 100 100 100

Computer-related occupations 59.0 59.8 61.0 62.3 56.8 57.9

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, 

 and Surveying 10.0 9.6 9.6 9.1 10.5 10.0

Occupations in Education 6.6 7.1 6.2 7.0 7.1 76.5

Occupations in Administrative Specializations 6.9 6.5 7.1 6.6 6.7 7.2

Occupations in Medicine and Health 5.4 6.0 4.1 4.4 6.7 7.3

Managers and Officials N.E.C.* 2.3 2.0 2.1 1.6 2.5 2.3

Occupations in Mathematics and 

 Physical Sciences 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.9 2.0 1.8

Occupations in Life Sciences 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.0 1.8 1.7

Miscellaneous Professional, 

Technical, and Managerial 1.6 1.4 1.7 1.3 1.5 1.4

Occupations in Social Sciences 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.4 1.5 1.3

Occupations in Art 1.0 0.9 1.1 0.9 0.9 0.9

Occupations in Law and Jurisprudence 0.0 0.3 0.40.3 0.4 0.4 0.3

Occupations in Writing 0.3 0.3 0.30.2 0.3 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous 0.2 0.2 0.20.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

Occupations in Entertainment and Recreation 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Occupations in Museum, Library, & Archival Sciences 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Occupations in Religion and Theology 0.1 0.0 0.10.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Sales Promotion Occupations 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Occupation unknown 0.8- ---0.7--- --0.7-- ------0.6 --1.0---- ---0.7---

Notes: Occupations ranked based on FY 2013 data. 

Sum of the percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Percentages shown in the table are based on the total number of petitions approved with known 

occupations.

*N.E.C. indicates not elsewhere classified.
14

Detailed Occupation

Tables 9A and 9B indicate the distribution of beneficiaries by detailed occupational category in 

FYs 2012 and 2013. Each table shows occupations arranged in descending order by the total 

number of beneficiaries approved in FY 2013. The list is limited to the top 20 categories. 

Fifty-one percent of approved petitions in 2013 were for aliens working as systems analysts or 

programmers. The second largest category was computer-related occupations.

Table 9A. H-1B Petitions Approved by Detailed Occupation of Beneficiary and Type of 

Petition (Number): FYs 2012 and 2013

All

Beneficiaries

Initial

Employment

Continuing 

Employment

Occupational Category FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013

Number Number Number Number Number Number

Total 262,569 286,773 136,890 128,291 125,679 158,482

Occupation known 262,557 286,770 136,888 128,289 125,669 158,481

Occupations in Systems Analysis and Programming 134,037 145,437 73,092 69,166 60,945 76,271

Computer-Related Occupations, N.E.C.* 16,367 21,365 8,015 8,546 8,352 12,819

Occupations in College and University Education 12,992 15,362 6,902 7,635 6,090 7,727

Electrical/Electronics Engineering Occupations 9,854 10,752 5,049 4,586 4,805 6,166

Physicians and Surgeons 6,479 8,320 2,576 2,479 3,903 5,841

Accountants, Auditors, and Related Occupations 7,363 7,567 3,835 3,390 3,528 4,177

Mechanical Engineering Occupations 4,935 4,974 2,521 2,139 2,414 2,835

Occupations in Biological Sciences 3,576 3,906 1,886 1,884 1,690 2,022

Budget and Management Systems Analysis Occupations 3,777 3,870 2,132 1,806 1,645 2,064

Occupations in Administrative Specializations, N.E.C.* 3,639 3,848 1,923 1,754 1,716 2,094

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying, 

 N.E.C.* 3,315 3,708 1,596 1,546 1,719 2,162

Misc Professional, Technical, and Managerial Occupations, 

N.E.C.* 3,914 3,580 2,128 1,494 1,786 2,086

Occupations in Economics 3,550 3,405 1,877 1,513 1,673 1,892

Occupations in Medicine and Health, N.E.C.* 2,825 3,165 1,405 1,340 1,420 1,825

Miscellaneous Managers and Officials, N.E.C.* 3,174 3,049 1,512 1,015 1,662 2,034

Therapists 2,120 2,403 766 842 1,354 1,561

Industrial Engineering Occupations 2,411 2,340 1,217 1,027 1,194 1,313

Occupations in Data Communications and Networks 2,112 2,260 1,154 945 958 1,315

Occupations in Computer System Technical Support 1,953 2,248 1,061 1,108 892 1,140

Occupations in Mathematics 1,772 2,069 832 880 940 1,189

Other Occupations 32392 33,142 15409 13,194 16,983 19,848

Occupation Unknown 12 3 2 2 10 1

Notes: Occupations ranked based on FY 2013 data.

 *N.E.C. indicates not elsewhere classified. 
15

Table 9B. H-1B Petitions Approved by Detailed Occupation of Beneficiary

and Type of Petition (Percent): FYs 2012 and 2013

All

Beneficiaries

Initial

Employment

Continuing 

Employment

Occupational Category FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

Total ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

Occupation known 100 100 100 100 100 100

Occupations in Systems Analysis and 

Programming 51.0 50.7 53.4 53.9 48.5 48.1

Computer-Related Occupations, N.E.C.* 6.2 7.5 5.9 6.7 6.6 8.1

Occupations in College and University Education 4.9 5.4 5.0 6.0 4.8 4.9

Electrical/Electronics Engineering Occupations 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.8 3.9

Physicians and Surgeons 2.5 2.9 1.9 1.9 3.1 3.7

Accountants, Auditors, and Related Occupations 2.8 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.8 2.6

Mechanical Engineering Occupations 1.9 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.9 1.8

Occupations in Biological Sciences 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.3 1.3

Budget and Management Systems Analysis 

Occupations 1.4 1.3 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3

Occupations in Administrative Specializations, 

N.E.C.* 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and 

Surveying, N.E.C.*

 

1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4

Misc Professional, Technical, and Managerial 

Occupations, N.E.C.* 1.5 1.2 1.6 1.2 1.4 1.3

Occupations in Economics 1.4 1.2 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.2

Occupations in Medicine and Health, N.E.C.* 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2

Miscellaneous Managers and Officials, N.E.C.* 1.2 1.1 1.1 0.8 1.3 1.3

Therapists 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.7 1.1 1.0

Industrial Engineering Occupations 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.8 1.0 0.8

Occupations in Data Communications and 

Networks 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8

Occupations in Computer System Technical 

Support 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.7 0.7

Occupations in Mathematics 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8

Other Occupations 12.3 11.6 11.3 10.3 13.5 12.6

Occupation Unknown ---0.0--- -0.0----- -0.0----- -0.0----- -----0.0- ------

Notes: Occupations ranked based on FY 2013data.

 Sum of the percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.

 Percentages shown in the table are based on the total number of petitions approved with known occupations.

 * N.E.C. indicates not elsewhere classified.
16

Section 3.6 – Distribution of petitions by annual compensation13

Tables 10, 11, and 12 show compensation by occupation for beneficiaries of all, initial, and 

continuing employment, respectively. Each table shows occupations arranged in descending 

order by the total number of beneficiaries approved in FY 2013. As shown in Table 10, the 

median annual compensation reported by employers of H-1B workers approved for employment 

during FY 2013 was $72,000. The median annual compensation was $70,000 in FY 2012. Half

were expected to earn between $60,000 and $95,000. Median compensation ranged from a low 

of $36,000 for occupations in religion and theology to a high of $104,000 for sales promotion 

occupations.

Table 10. Annual Compensation ($) of All H-1B Beneficiaries by Major Occupation 

Group: FY 2013 (Approvals)14

Total 25th Median Mean 75th

Occupation Reported Percentile Percentile

Total 284,884 60,000 72,000 82,000 95,000

Known Occupations with annual compensation 282,997 60,000 72,000 82,000 95,000

Computer-related Occupations 171,128 63,000 74,000 81,000 95,000

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying 27,312 66,000 82,000 86,000 100,000

Occupations in Education 20,237 42,000 51,000 62,000 69,000

Occupation in Administrative Specializations 18,496 49,000 65,000 76,000 91,000

Occupations in Medicine and Health 16,599 53,000 70,000 108,000 150,000

Managers and Officials 5,728 62,000 95,000 105,000 127,000

Occupations in Mathematics and Physical Sciences 5,271 57,000 75,000 80,000 97,000

Occupations in Life Sciences 5,227 43,000 51,000 60,000 70,000

Miscellaneous Professional, Technical, and Managerial 

Occupations 3,861 60,000 85,000 93,000 120,000

Occupations in Social Sciences 3,846 52,000 75,000 88,000 110,000

Occupations in Art 2,577 42,000 52,000 62,000 73,000

Occupations in Law and Jurisprudence 973 50,000 96,000 115,000 160,000

Occupations in Writing 726 37,000 55,000 57,000 70,000

Miscellaneous 467 36,000 44,000 48,000 58,000

Occupations in Entertainment and Recreation 204 31,000 39,000 51,000 53,000

Occupations in Museum, Library, and Archival Sciences 156 45,000 52,000 61,000 64,000

Occupations in Religion and Theology 116 25,000 36,000 41,000 47,000

Sales Promotion Occupations 73 75,000 104,000 142,000 156,000

Occupation unknown 1,887 53,000 70,000 80,000 94,000

Notes: Occupations ranked by number of beneficiaries.

 

13 Annual compensation refers to what the employer agreed to pay the beneficiary at the time the application was filed. 

The amount excludes non-cash compensation and benefits such as health insurance and transportation. Further, 

compensation is based on full-time employment for 12 months, even if the beneficiary worked fewer than 12 months.

14 The Fiscal Year 2012 report reflects detailed occupational groups, whereas the Fiscal Year 2010, 2011, and 

2013reports reflect major occupational groups, which capture data on the general categories of H-1B positions. 
17

 *N.E.C. indicates not elsewhere classified.

Definitions: Median is the middle ranking value (50th percentile) of all values. 

 Mean is the average of all values.

 25th percentile and 75th percentile are the lower quarter and upper quarter ranking values, respectively. 

As revealed in Tables 11 and 12, beneficiaries for continuing employment reported higher annual 

compensation than did beneficiaries for initial employment. Median annual compensation was 

$80,000 for the former and $65,000 for the latter. In FY 2013 workers approved for continuing 

employment and initial employment reported mean annual compensation of $88,000 and 

$74,000 respectively. 

Table 11. Annual Compensation ($) of H-1B Beneficiaries for Initial Employment

by Major Occupation Group: FY 2013 (Approvals)15

Total 25th Median Mean 75th

Occupation Reported Percentile Percentile

Total 127,583 59,000 65,000 74,000 80,000

Known Occupations with annual compensation 126,835 59,000 65,000 74,000 80,000

Computer-related occupations 79,691 60,000 66,000 73,000 78,000

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying 11,563 61,000 75,000 81,000 94,000

Occupations in Education 8,930 41,000 50,000 61,000 68,000

Occupations in Administrative Specializations 8,342 45,000 58,000 67,000 75,000

Occupations in Medicine and Health 5,460 50,000 64,000 104,000 150,000

Occupations in Life Sciences 2,511 41,000 49,000 56,000 63,000

Occupations in Mathematics and Physical Sciences 2,384 52,000 67,000 73,000 89,000

Managers and Officials 2,054 55,000 80,000 99,000 120,000

Occupations in Social Sciences 1,760 47,000 65,000 77,000 95,000

Miscellaneous Professional, Technical, and Managerial 

Occupations 1,628 54,000 73,000 84,000 110,000

Occupations in Art 1,188 39,000 48,000 55,000 61,000

Occupations in Law and Jurisprudence 499 44,000 85,000 107,000 160,000

Occupations in Writing 339 33,000 50,000 52,000 63,000

Miscellaneous 217 35,000 41,000 46,000 54,000

Occupations in Entertainment and Recreation 86 31,000 38,000 49,000 54,000

Occupations in Museum, Library, and Archival Sciences 76 45,000 50,000 59,000 64,000

Sales Promotion Occupations 62 71,000 104,000 146,000 176,000

Occupations in Religion and Theology 45 23,000 28,000 32,000 36,000

Occupation unknown 748 48,000 63,000 74,000 85,000

Notes: Occupations ranked by the number of beneficiaries.

Definitions: Median is the middle ranking value (50th percentile) of all values. 

 Mean is the average of all values.

 25th percentile and 75th percentile are the lower quarter and upper quarter ranking values, respectively.

 

15 The FY 2012 report reflects detailed occupational groups, whereas the FY 2010, 2011, and 2013 reports reflect 

major occupational groups, which capture data on the general categories of H-1B positions.
18

Table 12. Annual Compensation ($) of H-1B Beneficiaries for Continuing Employment by 

Major Occupation Group: FY 2013 (Approvals)16

Total 25th Median Mean 75th

Occupation Reported Percentile Percentile

Total 157,301 64,000 80,000 88,000 104,000

Known Occupations with annual compensation 156,162 64,000 80,000 88,000 104,000

Computer-related occupations 91,437 68,000 85,000 89,000 104,000

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying 15,749 72,000 87,000 91,000 105,000

Occupation in Education 11,307 44,000 52,000 62,000 70,000

Occupations in Medicine and Health 11,139 55,000 75,000 110,000 150,000

Occupations in Administrative Specializations 10,154 53,00 72,000 82,000 100,000

Managers and Officials 3,674 68,000 100,000 108,000 130,000

Occupations in Mathematics and Physical Sciences 2,887 62,000 82,000 86,000 101,000

Occupations in Life Sciences 2,716 45,000 54,000 63,000 75,000

Miscellaneous Professional, Technical, and Managerial 

Occupations 2,233 65,000 95,000 100,000 122,000

Occupations in Social Sciences 2,086 62,000 89,000 97,000 120,000

Occupations in Art 1,389 45,000 57,000 67,000 81,000

Occupations in Law and Jurisprudence 474 55,000 105,000 123,000 185,00

Occupations in Writing 387 40,000 58,000 60,000 72,000

Miscellaneous 250 38,000 45,000 50,000 60,000

Occupations in Entertainment and Recreation 118 30,000 41,000 53,000 51,000

Occupations in Museum, Library, and Archival Sciences 80 43,000 54,000 62,000 64,000

Occupations in Religion and Theology 71 29,000 40,000 47,000 60,000

Sales Promotions Occupations 11 78,000 100,000 123,000 143,000

Occupation unknown 1,139 57,000 76,000 85,000 96,000

Notes: Occupations ranked by the number of beneficiaries.

 

Definitions: Median is the middle ranking value (50th percentile) of all values. 

 Mean is the average of all values.

 25th percentile and 75th percentile are the lower quarter and upper quarter ranking values, respectively.

 

16 The FY 2012 report reflects detailed occupational groups, whereas the FY 2010, 2011, and 2013 reports reflect 

major occupational groups, which capture data on the general categories of H-1B positions.
19

Section 3.7 – Distribution of petitions by industry

Tables 13A and 13B show the industries that employed the most H-1B workers in FYs 2012 and 

2013. The number of workers approved for all known industries increased 12 percent from 

203,538 in FY 2012 to 229,434 in FY 2013. 

Industry data are collected using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). 

Unlike country of birth, age, education, and occupation, USCIS does not verify the NAICS code, 

since the sponsor does not provide supporting documentation. 
20

Table 13A. H-1B Petitions Approved by Detailed Industry and Type of Petition 

(Number) FYs 2012 and 2013

 

Notes: Industries ranked by total beneficiaries in FY 2013.

NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System.

 

All 

Beneficiaries

Initial 

Employment

Continuing 

Employment

FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013

Industry Number Number Number Number Number Number

Total 262,569 286,773 136,890 128,291 125,679 158,482

Industry known 203,538 229,434 108,820 104,222 94,718 125,212

Custom Computer Programming 

 Services 74,740 82,642 43,129 41,715 31,611 40,927

Computer System Design Services 25,910 24,149 14,629 11,289 11,281 12,860

Colleges, Universities, and 

Professional Schools 16,167 20,016 8,515 9,564 7,652 10,452

Computer Systems Design and 

Related Services 3,041 8,091 1,722 4,445 1,319 3,646

Software Publishers 5,367 6,280 2,582 2,108 2,765 4,172

General Medical and Surgical 

 Hospitals 4,533 6,077 1,989 2,004 2,544 4,073

Other Computer Related Services 4,574 5,410 2,174 2,594 2,400 2,816

Management, Scientific, and 

Technical Consulting Services 4,915 5,073 4,306 3,790 609 1,283

Engineering Services 2,606 3,300 1,452 1,574 1,154 1,726

Administrative Management and 

General Management Consulting 

Services

2,605 2,739 1,483 1,345 1,122 1,394

Elementary and Secondary Schools 1,874 2,735 596 617 1,278 2,118

Offices of Physicians (except Mental 

Health Specialists) 2,173 2,685 838 856 1,355 1,829

Research and Development in the 

Physical, Engineering, and Life 

Sciences

2,366 2,635 1,148 1,113 1,218 1,522

Semiconductor and Related Device 

 Manufacturing 2,132 2,160 1,115 852 1,017 1,308

Radio and Television Broadcasting 

and Wireless Communications 

Equipment Manufacturing 

1,940 2,125 1,120 920 820 1,205

Other Industries 48,595 53,317 22,022 19,436 26,573 33,881

Industry unknown 59,031 57,339 28,070 24,069 30,961 33,270
21

Table 13B. H-1B Petitions Approved by Detailed Industry and Type of Petition 

(Percent) FYs 2012 and 2013

 

All 

Beneficiaries

Initial 

Employment

Continuing 

Employment

FY2012 FY2013 FY2012 FY2013 FY2012 FY2013

Industry Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100

Industry known 77.5 80.0 79.5 81.2 75.4 79.0

Custom Computer Programming 

 Services 28.5 28.8 31.5 32.5 25.2 25.8

Computer System Design Services 9.9 8.4 10.7 8.8 9.0 8.1

Colleges, Universities, and

Professional Schools 6.2 7.0 6.2 7.5 6.1 6.6

Software Publishers 1.2 2.8 1.3 3.5 1.0 2.3

General Medical and Surgical 

 Hospitals 2.0 2.2 1.9 1.6 2.2 2.6

Other Computer Related Services 1.7 2.1 1.5 1.6 2.0 2.6

Management, Scientific, and Technical 

Consulting Services 1.7 1.9 1.6 2.0 1.9 1.8

Computer Systems Design and Related Services 1.9 1.8 3.1 3.0 0.5 0.8

Engineering Services 1.0 1.2 1.1 1.2 0.9 1.1

Administrative Management and General 

Management Consulting Services 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.9

Elementary and Secondary Schools 0.7 1.0 0.4 0.5 1.0 1.3

Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health 

Specialists) 0.8 0.9 0.6 0.7 1.1 1.2

Research and Development in the Physical, 

Engineering, and Life Sciences 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0

Semiconductor and Related Device 

 Manufacturing 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8

Radio and Television Broadcasting and 

Wireless Communications Equipment 

Manufacturing 

0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.8

Other Industries 18.5 18.6 16.1 15.1 21.1 21.4

Industry unknown 22.5 20.0 20.5 18.8 24.6 21.0

Notes: Industries ranked by total beneficiaries in FY 2013.

 Sum of the percent may not add to 100 due to rounding.

 Percentages shown are based on the total number of petitions approved with industry known.

 NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System
22

IV. Appendices

A. H-1B petition processing

Petitions for obtaining H-1B nonimmigrant classification for alien workers are submitted by 

prospective employers on USCIS Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, the H 

Classification Supplement to Form I-129, and the H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee 

Exemption Supplement. The petitions are generally mailed to one of two USCIS Service 

Centers (St. Albans, Vermont, or Laguna Niguel, California) for processing, depending on the

location of the beneficiary’s worksite.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition,17 each petition is stamped with its date of arrival at the 

service center. A clerk creates a paper file that contains the original petition as well as all 

supporting documentation. This file becomes the official file of record for all activities 

connected with the petition.

Biographical data (such as name, date of birth, and country of birth), as well as data on 

occupational and industry categories, are taken from the petition and entered by data entry clerks 

into the case tracking system Computer-Linked Application Information Management System 

(CLAIMS3). The computer system generates a unique receipt number for the file. After being 

sorted into potential cap subject and cap exempt cases, the file is assigned to an adjudicator. 

The adjudicator evaluates whether there is adequate information in the file to approve or deny 

the petition, or whether a need for further information warrants a request for evidence or 

initiation of an administrative investigation. If sufficient evidence is available, the adjudicator 

makes a decision and enters the corresponding information into the tracking system. In the case 

of insufficient evidence, the adjudicator requests additional information from the sponsoring 

employer. The employer must respond to the request within a set period of time or the petition 

will be denied. 

After petitions are adjudicated, the petition and supporting documentation are forwarded to either 

the USCIS records center in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for storage or the Kentucky Consular Center 

in Williamsburg, Kentucky, for consular processing. 

B. Data Limitations

The data for the tables in this report have been extracted from a USCIS Service Center electronic 

data file. As such, errors in data may have occurred as a result of erroneous data submitted by 

 

17 Petitions that are improperly filed (e.g., submitted without the correct supplements, proper signatures, or required 

fees) may be rejected by the service center. Rejected petitions are returned to the petitioner with any submitted fees. 

See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7).
23

the petitioner, initial data entry errors at service centers, or improper electronic transfer from the 

service centers to USCIS Headquarters. Accordingly, some data elements in the above tables are 

“unknown.”

Minimal editing has been done to the data in this file and impossible or highly improbable values 

(such as beneficiaries younger than 16, except for fashion models) or beneficiaries (such as those 

working without compensation) have been defined as “unknown.” Information in electronic 

format is not available regarding the cities or states where H-1B workers are employed.