Like i said above, PERM is only for cases filled in DOL after March 28,05, which according to the PERM would be decided between 6-9 months. but at the same time, there are pending cases filed before March 28,05. Now unless those case are decided , then only DOL is upspeed the PERM . 'Prevailing wage' when you file for labor certification, is only the wage, that according to DOL says you need to get paid. you do not have to be making that wage before you file, what that means is, should you get a green card, and choose to stay with your employer, in the same position you were sponsored for, the employer has enough money to pay you. however, after you get the green card, nothing is contractual, meaning he could either pay you that about, or more, or less, he is not bound by law to pay the wage shown in PERM, at the same time neither are you bound by any contract to work for the same employer that sponsored you.