Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Of these, 198 were approved (95.2%), while 10 were denied (4.8%).
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 Educational Services sector during 2024 included University of Kentucky with 110 petitions, University of Louisville with 48 petitions, and Eastern Kentucky University with nine petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in Kentucky saw a stagnation 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 Educational Services Industry in Kentucky, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentucky | 110 | 92.7% | 7.3% |
| 2 | University of Louisville | 48 | 97.9% | 2.1% |
| 3 | Eastern Kentucky University | 9 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Western Kentucky University | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Fayette County Public Schools | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Centre College of Kentucky | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Northern Kentucky University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Murray State University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Campbellsville University, Inc. | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Union College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Berea College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Bellarmine University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Asbury University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Lindsey Wilson College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Kentucky State University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Bullitt Central High School | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Jefferson County Public Schools | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 15 | Thomas More University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Georgetown College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Spalding University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Ashland Independent School Distric | 1 | 100% | 0% |