Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Of these, 370 were approved (98.7%), while five were denied (1.3%).
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, Tennessee employers across all industries submitted 4,665 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98.4%.
The Manufacturing industry led the H-1B filings in Tennessee during 2024, with 1,038 petitions (22.3% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 97.9%. Meanwhile, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 997 petitions (21.4% of the total), with an approval rate of 97.3%.
The Tennessee employers which made the most petitions in the Educational Services sector during 2024 included The University of Tennessee with 167 petitions, Vanderbilt University with 79 petitions, and The University of Memphis with 26 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in Tennessee saw a 6.3% 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 | Manufacturing | 1,038 | 22.3% | 97.9% | 2.1% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 997 | 21.4% | 97.3% | 2.7% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 827 | 17.7% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 4 | Finance and Insurance | 556 | 11.9% | 99.8% | 0.2% |
| 5 | Educational Services | 375 | 8% | 98.7% | 1.3% |
| 6 | Transportation and Warehousing | 320 | 6.9% | 99.1% | 0.9% |
| 7 | Retail Trade | 179 | 3.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 131 | 2.8% | 97.7% | 2.3% |
| 9 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 100 | 2.1% | 96% | 4% |
| 10 | Wholesale Trade | 47 | 1% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Information | 44 | 0.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Public Administration | 14 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Construction | 9 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 8 | 0.2% | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| 15 | Accommodation and Food Services | 5 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 4 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 4 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Utilities | 3 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 2 | 0% | 50% | 50% |
Top Employers in Educational Services Industry in Tennessee, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Tennessee | 167 | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 2 | Vanderbilt University | 79 | 98.7% | 1.3% |
| 3 | The University of Memphis | 26 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Shelby County Schools | 19 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Middle Tennessee State University | 9 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | East Tennessee State University | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Tennessee State University | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | The University of the South | 6 | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| 7 | Memphis School of Excellence | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Austin Peay State University | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Stem Preparatory Academy | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Meharry Medical College | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Tennessee Technological University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Christian Brothers University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Belmont University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Rhodes College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Kipp Nashville | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Republic Charter Schools | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Lipscomb University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Fisk University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Tennessee Wesleyan University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Maryville College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | King University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Dragon K Martial ARTS Tennessee, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | University of the South | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Pope John Paul II High School, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Johnson University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Lincoln Memorial University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Tusculum University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Milligan University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Isha Foundation, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Lee University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Inpatient Specialists of Californi | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Southern Adventist University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Lane College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Franklin Special School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Knoxville Catholic High School | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 21 | Vmsisu, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |