Of these, 736 were approved (98%), while 15 were denied (2%).
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, Missouri employers across all industries submitted 4,266 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in Missouri during 2024, with 1,548 petitions (36.3% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 97.1%. Meanwhile, the Finance and Insurance industry was the second largest contributor, filing 812 petitions (19% of the total), with an approval rate of 99.6%.
The Missouri employers which made the most petitions in the Educational Services sector during 2024 included Washington University in St. Louis with 329 petitions, The Curators of the University of Missouri with 199 petitions, and Saint Louis University with 45 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in Missouri saw a 13.1% 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 | 1,548 | 36.3% | 97.1% | 2.9% |
| 2 | Finance and Insurance | 812 | 19% | 99.6% | 0.4% |
| 3 | Educational Services | 751 | 17.6% | 98% | 2% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 373 | 8.7% | 97.1% | 3% |
| 5 | Information | 359 | 8.4% | 98.6% | 1.4% |
| 6 | Manufacturing | 210 | 4.9% | 98.1% | 1.9% |
| 7 | Construction | 59 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Wholesale Trade | 33 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Retail Trade | 28 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 17 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Transportation and Warehousing | 14 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 13 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Accommodation and Food Services | 13 | 0.3% | 92.3% | 7.7% |
| 14 | Utilities | 11 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 10 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 8 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 3 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Public Administration | 3 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Educational Services Industry in Missouri, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington University in St. Louis | 329 | 99.1% | 0.9% |
| 2 | The Curators of the University of Missouri | 199 | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| 3 | Saint Louis University | 45 | 95.6% | 4.4% |
| 4 | The Curators of the Un of Missouri | 18 | 94.4% | 5.6% |
| 5 | Missouri State University | 13 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | A T Still University of Health SCI | 12 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Frontier Schools, Inc. | 12 | 91.7% | 8.3% |
| 8 | Southeast Missouri State Universit | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | St. Louis Language Immersion School | 9 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Northwest Missouri State Universit | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Academic Lafayette | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Gateway Science Academy St. Louis | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Lincoln University of Missouri | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | University of Central Missouri | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Truman State University | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | School District of Kansas City 33 | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Missouri Southern State University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Missouri Military Academy | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Drury University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | The Principia Corporation | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Park University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Fontbonne University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Webster University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Saint Lukes Health System | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Ferguson Florissant School District | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | KC International Academy | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Academie Lafayette | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Cottey College | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| 23 | The Principia, Corp. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Westminster College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Northwest Missouri State University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | LA Petite Ecole, Inc. | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 32 | Avila University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Stephens College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | The Washington University D B a WA | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | St. Louis Public Library | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | National Association of Itercollegiate Athletics Naia | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Islamic Foundation of Greater St. L | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Rockhurst University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Midwestern Baptist Theological Sem | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Naia | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Impact City FC | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 32 | A T Still University of Health Sciences | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 32 | Pivto Digital Learning | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Midwest University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Columbia College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | St. Louis Board of Education | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 32 | Missouri Western State University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | The Learning Cooperative | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Pattonville R-III School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Lindenwood University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | College of the Ozarks | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Missouri Valley College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Westminister College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 32 | Cameron Regional Medical Center | 1 | 100% | 0% |