The parent comment is specifically about cap-exempt institutions though, which typically pay everyone following rigid pay scales. In this case, an H-1B (or ofte

The parent comment is specifically about cap-exempt institutions though, which typically pay everyone following rigid pay scales. In this case, an H-1B (or often J-1 actually) always costs more. Now you can argue that postdoc and research positions don't pay well enough to attract local talent[1], but I don't think you should conflate this issue with the typical Indian consultancy companies working their way around H-1B constraints. [1] Which seems true from what I've seen. I know people at the Berkeley Lawrence Lab who would triple their salaries working in the industry.