What is Labor condition application, prevailing wage?

A labor condition application (LCA) is the attestation a US employer files with the Department of Labor before sponsoring a worker on an H-1B, H-1B1 or E-3 visa: the job title, occupation code, worksite, the offered wage or wage range, and the prevailing wage for the occupation and area. The prevailing wage is the wage the Department’s rules set as the minimum for the occupation, area and level; the employer must pay the greater of it and the actual wage it pays similar employees.