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H1B Salaries in the US

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71–80 of 84 posts

Re: H1B Salaries in the US

#71
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't trust these cost-of-living calculations. Every time I've lived somewhere with a supposedly great cost-of-living I've felt poor (had to conserve my money) and every time I've lived somewhere with a supposedly bad cost-of-living I've felt wealthier. I can't think of a single exception.

I think it's because many things are constantly priced anywhere, such as cars, food etc. The only thing that is expensive is local, such as housing.

Or the COLA calculations include many areas where you wouldn't want to live. Where I live now has a low COL according to the statistics, but that's only because it includes the poor areas nearby. The only place anyone would want to live is very expensive, and more than some of the bigger cities I've lived in.

Re: H1B Salaries in the US

#73

It must really suck to be a senior software engineer making less than 95k knowing that there are probably some new grads that get an initial offer of more than that. Wait, really? By "some" we're talking "very, very few" right? Surely salaries haven't come that far since when I graduated.

I'm a CS senior, and just speaking anecdotally, my friends who interned at $BigTech all received offers above 100k.

Re: H1B Salaries in the US

#75

It must really suck to be a senior software engineer making less than 95k knowing that there are probably some new grads that get an initial offer of more than that. Wait, really? By "some" we're talking "very, very few" right? Surely salaries haven't come that far since when I graduated.

That was my exact same thought. I've met some bright grads, but they still are way less effective in the real world than an experienced software engineer. I can't believe we are back to the boom days of 100k + bonus straight out of school. Hey, good for them, if I was a student right now I'd be stoked.

Re: H1B Salaries in the US

#76
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> IMO the results for all Bay Area cities (SF, Palo Alto, Fremont, Cupertino, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mtn View) should also be merged into a single result. Why? The housing prices are very different. Heck, SF alone has a huge price range. I agree that NYC is too coarse.

Because they are effectively in the same geographic area. The housing prices aren't that different until you hit outlying areas like Livermore.

> Because they are effectively in the same geographic area.

Yes

> The housing prices aren't that different until you hit outlying areas like Livermore.

No.

Palo Alto's median house price is almost 3x San Jose and Fremont's. Union City is much cheaper than both, San Leandro's is less than 1/4th of PA's, and Oakland is significantly lower. Cupertino splits the difference between SJ and PA with nice houses while Redwood city does with crap. (Berkely comes in lower than both.)

http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Palo_Alto-California/

It might be reasonable to argue that the peninsula cities (to San Jose) are one market, but SJ and south and the east bay are different, even on this side of the hills.

Re: H1B Salaries in the US

#77
post #69

Actually the whole H1B is a problem for a lot of immigrant workers. Some people I worked with at my previous employer were contracted through Patni. Patni employs foreign workers to companies (mainly Indian) and takes a cut of their pay. Once their visa is up(5 years I think) they have to go back to India for at least a year then re-apply. Also, when they sign contracts with Patni, they sign a non compete where they…

Did any of them try it? Just because you sign something doesn't mean you can be held to it. It would be worth a try.

Someone I know recently got hired this way. Patni had him on an L-1 visa and he was working at a Fortune 500 wealth management company (WMC) with HQ in Richmond, VA. He got an H-1B visa for himself, moved out of Patni, worked with a body shopper for 3 months and then had his boss at the WMC file an H-1B on his behalf. His old Patni bosses kicked up a row and tried to stop him from getting hired. In his case, the anti-poaching agreement was between Patni and the WMC; but the WMC management were firm in hiring him. For most people, I would assume that not to be the case.

Re: H1B Salaries in the US

#78
post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because they are effectively in the same geographic area. The housing prices aren't that different until you hit outlying areas like Livermore.

> Because they are effectively in the same geographic area. Yes > The housing prices aren't that different until you hit outlying areas like Livermore. No. Palo Alto's median house price is almost 3x San Jose and Fremont's. Union City is much cheaper than both, San Leandro's is less than 1/4th of PA's, and Oakland is significantly lower. Cupertino splits the difference between SJ and PA with nice houses while Redwood…

Fine you're right on the real estate. However I still find it ridiculous that Palo Alto and Mountain View are considered separate, as Santa Clara and San Jose are as well.

Re: H1B Salaries in the US

#79

The data seems a bit off. According to the links the H1B salaries are actually higher than what US born/citizens get for the same job.

Data could be off but not for the reason you are mentioning.

That is how it is supposed to be since these jobs are theoretically given to outsiders because you could not find suitable people within the US.

Re: H1B Salaries in the US

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As another anecdote, I was offered $115k/yr + $10k relocation from Groupon right out of college (I didn't accept, but that was the highest offer monetarily).

Graduate degree, or undergrad?

Undergrad, and I didn't go to a prestigious school.
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