H-1B Visa Workers Earn More Than American Counterparts, According to New Analysis
A new analysis by HR firm Deel of H-1B visa holders on its platform found that immigrant workers earn median salaries of $140,000 compared to $130,000 for American workers in equivalent roles, with larger gaps at top startups. The findings suggest companies use H-1B visas to secure specialized talent in high-demand fields rather than to cut costs. The data adds to a divided body of research on the program, as other studies have found H-1B workers may earn less than comparable U.S. workers when adjusted for various factors.
A June 2 analysis by global HR firm Deel examined wage data for H-1B visa holders and found they consistently out-earn local workers in similar positions across major markets. In the U.S., H-1B workers on Deel's platform earn a median salary of $140,000 versus approximately $130,000 for American workers in equivalent roles, with even larger gaps at top venture-backed startups where foreign workers earn a median of $260,000 compared to around $160,000 for American colleagues. The analysis suggests companies prioritize hiring foreign workers for specialized roles in fields like software engineering and artificial intelligence where domestic talent supply is limited, rather than using the visa program to reduce labor costs. However, the findings contrast with other research showing H-1B workers earn around 16 percent less than U.S. workers after adjusting for factors like job type and location. Critics, including advocates for H-1B reform, argue the Deel analysis is not representative and overlooks broader concerns about wage suppression, worker displacement, and instances where American employees have been asked to train their H-1B replacements before being laid off.
What's missing
The article does not provide details on the methodology used by Deel to match comparable jobs and workers, the size of the dataset analyzed, or the time period covered. Additionally, while the article mentions that other research has found different results, it does not provide specific citations or links to those studies for reader verification.
What different sources said
- NewsweekCenter
H-1B Visa Data Shows How Much Immigrant Workers Earn Compared to Americans
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