Job markets by state

In each state, most LCA filings are concentrated in 1–3 metro areas. The top 10 states account for 71% of the U.S. total.

Data through Mar 2026

12 min read

Source: DOL OFLC

In this article

01Don’t start with the school 02Filings aren’t spread evenly across the 50 states 03The 10 states with the most filings 04How to read this table 05This is only the first step

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This table shows overall LCA activity by state. For a major-specific view, explore by major.

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Don’t start with the school

If you already have a few states in mind, start by seeing where the jobs are concentrated in each state. Then find schools in those job markets.

An LCA is an employer filing with the U.S. Department of Labor used in the H-1B process. A filing is not proof of a hire. A higher count means more LCA filing activity in that area.

Filings aren’t spread evenly across the 50 states

In the last 4 quarters, Apr 2025 to Mar 2026, the data has 533,929 certified LCA filings, counted by worksite state. Where you study puts you in a particular job market, and those markets differ widely.

71% are in the top 10 states.

18% are in the next 10 states.

The remaining 11% are in the other 30 states plus Washington, DC combined. That’s less than Texas alone.

The 10 states with the most filings

A state is still too broad. California isn’t one market, and neither is Texas. Filing activity is concentrated in San Jose, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, or in Dallas, Austin, and Houston.

State · main metro areas

LCA filings

U.S. share

1California3 metros = 87% of the stateSan Jose 46% · San Francisco 34% · Los Angeles 16%100,89519%

2Texas3 metros = 94% of the stateDallas 60% · Austin 21% · Houston 15%89,06817%

3New York1 metro = 87% of the stateNew York–Newark 87%45,8399%

4New Jersey2 metros = 96% of the stateNew York–Newark 85% · Trenton 13%36,6477%

5Washington1 metro = 97% of the stateSeattle 97%34,1646%

6Illinois2 metros = 88% of the stateChicago 82% · Bloomington 6%25,4985%

7North Carolina3 metros = 88% of the stateCharlotte 41% · Raleigh 40% · Durham 15%22,8444%

8Georgia1 metro = 93% of the stateAtlanta 93%22,7984%

9Massachusetts2 metros = 96% of the stateBoston 89% · Worcester 9%20,4314%

10Florida3 metros = 75% of the stateMiami 31% · Tampa 29% · Orlando 17%19,2574%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC. Certified LCA filings, including filings withdrawn after certification, decided Apr 2025 to Mar 2026. A filing with worksites in two metro areas counts in both, so metro shares can add up to more than the combined state figure. The U.S. share column uses 533,929 filings. A filing with worksites in more than one state counts in each state, so state totals add up to 584,045. The 71% / 18% / 11% figures above use that total, so this column adds up to more than 71%.

How to read this table

In some states, one metro area dominates: Seattle accounts for 97% of Washington’s filings, and Atlanta accounts for 93% of Georgia’s. Other states have several large markets. Focus on where filings are concentrated, not just the state total.

This is the whole market, not one major. California has the most filings overall. That doesn’t mean it has the most for every major.

Metro areas cross state lines. New York–Newark covers parts of both NY and NJ, so the same metro area appears under more than one state.

A school can be a great fit and still be in a small job market. Then you need to think about where you’ll find internships and build your network.

This is only the first step

The state table helps you decide which metro area to look at first. The bigger question is where the jobs are for your major. Those answers may be different.

Once you have a few metro areas worth considering, choose your major, compare its job market in each, then look at schools.

Look up your major, not the whole market

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