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
Of these, 174 were approved (98.9%), while two were denied (1.1%).
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%, higher than 2023's 97.3%. Statewide, Kentucky employers across all industries submitted 1,253 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 96.9%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in Kentucky during 2024, with 360 petitions (28.7% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 94.4%. Meanwhile, the Management of Companies and Enterprises industry was the second largest contributor, filing 252 petitions (20.1% of the total), with an approval rate of 99.2%.
The Kentucky employers which made the most petitions in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector during 2024 included Appalachian Regional Healthcare in with 17 petitions, University of Louisville Physician with 16 petitions, and Baptist Health Medical Group, Inc. with 13 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector in Kentucky saw a 7.3% increase 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 | 360 | 28.7% | 94.4% | 5.6% |
| 2 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 252 | 20.1% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 3 | Educational Services | 208 | 16.6% | 95.2% | 4.8% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 176 | 14.1% | 98.9% | 1.1% |
| 5 | Manufacturing | 131 | 10.5% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 6 | Accommodation and Food Services | 44 | 3.5% | 97.7% | 2.3% |
| 7 | Finance and Insurance | 16 | 1.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 12 | 1% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Information | 10 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 10 | 0.8% | 80% | 20% |
| 11 | Retail Trade | 8 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Construction | 8 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Wholesale Trade | 6 | 0.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Utilities | 3 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 3 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Transportation and Warehousing | 3 | 0.2% | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| 17 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Public Administration | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Health Care and Social Assistance Industry in Kentucky, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appalachian Regional Healthcare in | 17 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | University of Louisville Physician | 16 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Baptist Health Medical Group, Inc. | 13 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Owensboro Health, Inc. | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Uofl Health - Louisville D B a, Inc. | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Summit Medical Group | 10 | 90% | 10% |
| 7 | Trilogy Management Services, LLC | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | University Medical Center D B, Inc. | 7 | 85.7% | 14.3% |
| 9 | Res-Care, Inc. | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Pikeville Medical Center, Inc. | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Saint Joseph Health System, Inc. | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Commonwealth Health Corporation | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Kings Daughters Medical Specialtie | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Norton Healthcare, Inc. | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Confluent Health, LLC | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Owensboro Health Medical Group, Inc. | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | St. Claire Medical Center, Inc. | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Mountain Comprehensive Health, Corp. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Jennie Stuart Medical Center, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Saint Elizabeth Medical Center | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Metro Athletic Medicine and Fitnes | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Lake Cumberland Physician Practice | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Ohio Valley Nephrology Associates | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Freedom Health Club, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Baptist Health Deaconess Medical Group, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Kentuckyone Health Medical Group D | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Clark Emergency Physicians, PLLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Associates in Pediatric Therapy LL | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Chipps Caffrey and Dubilier PSC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Interstate Management Solutions, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Western Kentucky Heart and Lung as | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Childrens Home of Northern Kentucky | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Uofl Health Louisville, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Res Care, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | CHG Rehabilitation Austin, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | All Star Physical Therapy, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Pinelake Physician Practices, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Kindred Hospitals East, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Southern Kentucky Nephrology Association | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Nephrology Associates of Lexington P S C | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Confluent Health | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | University of Louisville Physicians, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Abbey Hill Group, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Kidney Specialists of Kentucky, PLLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Seven Counties Services, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Neonatal Services PSC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Owensboro Medical Practice, PLLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 28 | Astra Behavioral Health, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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