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RFE objection "average salaries are not enough": how it was answered

Key answer

USCIS does not accept general average or local salary surveys as sufficient evidence of high compensation. Replace the average figures with narrow industry data showing upper percentiles and comparable positions.

The objection belongs to the "High remuneration" criterion. Below is what the community did to close it: the order of steps, the documents that were attached and the wording that went into the answer.

Steps that closed it

  1. Show personal income, not average market salaries
  2. Provide documents for an extended period, for example 6-12 months
  3. Separate regular income from one-time payments
  4. Add confirmation of the role's high level of qualification and market rarity
  5. Explain why the selected average salaries do not reflect your level
  6. Attach alternative independent sources for salary ranges

What was attached

  • employment agreement or offer letter showing compensation
  • pay stubs or income statements
  • bank statements showing deposits
  • tax documents
  • description of the position, level, and duties
  • industry salary surveys for comparable roles

How the answer was worded

Market averages do not reflect my actual income because my role is at a higher level of qualification and responsibility. This is confirmed by the contract, regular payments, tax documents, and independent salary surveys for comparable positions.

A pattern, not a template to copy: the wording only works with your own facts behind it.

Where to check this

Other objections on this criterion

Reference information and community experience, not legal advice. The AAO figures are lessons from appeals, not approval odds; fees and timelines change - verify on uscis.gov.