Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Of these, 96 were approved (98%), while two 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, Massachusetts employers across all industries submitted 16,232 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.8%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in Massachusetts during 2024, with 6,451 petitions (39.7% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 97.6%. Meanwhile, the Finance and Insurance industry was the second largest contributor, filing 2,928 petitions (18% of the total), with an approval rate of 98.8%.
The Massachusetts employers which made the most petitions in the Public Administration sector during 2024 included New England Center for Children, Inc. with 62 petitions and City of Boston Mayor'S Office of New Urban Mechanics with eight petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Public Administration sector in Massachusetts saw a 38% 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 | 6,451 | 39.7% | 97.6% | 2.4% |
| 2 | Finance and Insurance | 2,928 | 18% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,738 | 10.7% | 95.9% | 4.1% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 1,585 | 9.8% | 99.1% | 1% |
| 5 | Educational Services | 1,199 | 7.4% | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| 6 | Information | 1,071 | 6.6% | 97.3% | 2.7% |
| 7 | Retail Trade | 420 | 2.6% | 97.9% | 2.1% |
| 8 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 229 | 1.4% | 97.4% | 2.6% |
| 9 | Public Administration | 98 | 0.6% | 98% | 2% |
| 10 | Utilities | 91 | 0.6% | 96.7% | 3.3% |
| 11 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 88 | 0.5% | 94.3% | 5.7% |
| 12 | Construction | 86 | 0.5% | 96.5% | 3.5% |
| 13 | Wholesale Trade | 70 | 0.4% | 98.6% | 1.4% |
| 14 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 45 | 0.3% | 97.8% | 2.2% |
| 14 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 45 | 0.3% | 93.3% | 6.7% |
| 16 | Transportation and Warehousing | 32 | 0.2% | 90.6% | 9.4% |
| 17 | Accommodation and Food Services | 27 | 0.2% | 85.2% | 14.8% |
| 18 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 22 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 4 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 3 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Public Administration Industry in Massachusetts, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New England Center for Children, Inc. | 62 | 96.8% | 3.2% |
| 2 | City of Boston Mayor'S Office of New Urban Mechanics | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Advocates, Inc. | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Boston Public Health Commission | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | JSI Research and Training Institut | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Economic Development and Industria | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Swift Current Management Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Boston Housing Authority | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Boston Harbor Now, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Economic Development & Industrial Coproration of Boston | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Metropolitan Area Planning Council | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Aretian Urban Analyics and Design, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Commonwealth Land Trust, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Massachusetts Port Authority | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Commonwealth Health Insurance Conn | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Lincoln Institute of Land Policy | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Achievement Network, Ltd. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Wellable, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | K & E Camp Corporation | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Umass Chan Medical School | 1 | 100% | 0% |