Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
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 OKC Standard publication area submitted 409 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 99.5%.
While the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings with 207 petitions, representing 50.6% of all submissions in the OKC Standard publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Educational Services industry, which accounted for 89 petitions and represented 21.8% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Educational Services industry, all were approved.
In 2024, the OKC Standard publication area employer with the most petitions categorized under the Finance and Insurance sector was American Fidelity Assurance Compan, which filed three petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Finance and Insurance sector in the OKC Standard publication area saw a 28.6% 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 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 207 | 50.6% | 99.5% | 0.5% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 89 | 21.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 60 | 14.7% | 98.3% | 1.7% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 12 | 2.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Retail Trade | 11 | 2.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Finance and Insurance | 5 | 1.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Construction | 5 | 1.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Information | 3 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Accommodation and Food Services | 3 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 3 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 2 | 0.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Utilities | 1 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Public Administration | 1 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industries | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paycom Payroll, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 172 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Oklahoma | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services, Educational Services | 53 | 100% | 0% |
| Ou Health Partners, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 19 | 100% | 0% |
| Dove Schools, Inc. | Educational Services | 14 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahoma Medical Research Foundati | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 10 | 100% | 0% |
| Integris Health, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. | Retail Trade | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Ciber Pathway, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahoma City University | Educational Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| ARL Bio Pharma, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Western Heights Public Schools | Educational Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Objectstream, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Mercy Clinic Oklahoma Communities | Health Care and Social Assistance | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahoma Blood Institute | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Saints Medical Group, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Reflections Systems, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| The University of Oklahoma | Educational Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| CFS Brands, LLC | Manufacturing, Accommodation and Food Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Loves Travel Stops and Country STO | Retail Trade | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| American Fidelity Assurance Compan | Finance and Insurance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Airgo Systems, LLC | Manufacturing | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Talisman, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Community Health Centers of Oklaho | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Lifeshare Network, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Business Imaging Systems, Inc. | Information | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Putnam City Schools | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahoma Christian University | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| US Department of Veterans Affairs | Health Care and Social Assistance, Public Administration | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahoma Heart Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Norman Regional Hospital Authority | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahoma City VA US Department of Vetrans Affairs | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahoma City Community College | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Nuveen Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Norman Regional Hospital Authority an Oklahoma Public Trust | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Mustang Public Schools | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company | Utilities | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Oklahomas Credit Union | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Oso Perforating, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Progentec Diagnostics, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Santa Fe South Schools, Inc. | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Silver Lake Construction, LLC | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Trinity Plaza, Inc. | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Variety Care, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Wheeler Bio, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| White Hawk Engineering and Design, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| World Water Works, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| ZFI Engineering Company | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Mount St. Mary Catholic High School | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Crescent Infectious Diseases, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Council on American Islamic Relations, Inc. | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Corys Audio Visual Services, LLC | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Coreslab Structures Okla, Inc. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cooperation Ale Works, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Climatecraft, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Climate Control Group, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Climacool Corporation | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| Chinatown Supermarket, LLC | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| C. H. Guernsey & Company | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Braums, Inc. | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Black Swan Employerco, LLC | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Automated Energy, Inc. | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Artemis Power Technician, Inc. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| AR It Software Solutions, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Alliance Steel, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Advanced Flow Solutions, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Motive, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Midfirst Bank | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Mid America Christian University | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Levy Strange Beffort, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Le Monde International School | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Lai & Turner Law Firm, PLLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| KB Dentistry, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Inventronics USA, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Infectious Disease Associates, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Independent School District No 1 of Oklahoma County | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| I2e, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Human Mode, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Fusion Industries, LLC | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Expressways Rental Properties, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Express Global Enterprises LP | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Excel Food Mart, Inc. | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| CS Cardiology Newco, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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