First, there are other categories a brilliant scientist could use. The O visas are set up for this type of person. Second, if brilliant, non-tech scientists are

First, there are other categories a brilliant scientist could use. The O visas are set up for this type of person. Second, if brilliant, non-tech scientists aren't getting as high a wage as a code monkey then can you really say there is a shortage of non-tech scientists? One of the main justifications of the H1B program is that it fills a shortage. If there is a real talent shortage then wages should increase as the supply of available workers dwindles. Allocating visas based on wage is a rough attempt to identify the biggest shortages and fill them. It also helps address the criticism that H1B visas are used to drive down wages.