3 ms·

Isn't this discriminatory on states with lower cost of living? 130k is not very high in Bay area for big companies and non entry level engineers.. However, at

Isn't this discriminatory on states with lower cost of living? 130k is not very high in Bay area for big companies and non entry level engineers.. However, at emerging cities in the US, that may be unattainable until say director positions for now.. So government powers more immigration and bias to CA at the cost of other cities developing cities? (Disclaimer) H1B from big co in the east coast, senior SE making 110k. Will make > 130k if bonus and stock compensation could be included though.

perseusprime11 10y ago
I don't think we as a country have figured out cost of living adjustments to compensation and taxes in general. I know first hand that there are certain jobs that pay you very similarly no matter where you are. So the guy in NYC pays more in taxes and cost of living while the gal in Texas saves a lot more especially with no state income tax, low property taxes, and lower cost of living.
- reacharavindh 10y ago
  I agree. Thinking about it, I made a conscious choice to stay at my current job in the east coast for this reason. (Nett money I could save was higher even with a lower pay than bay area). But, the impact of such variation only contributed to some decisions like mine, but not viability of jobs. I wonder what impact having access to viable H1B labor force would do for CA and expensive cities vs rest of the US.
- marcosdumay 10y ago
  > I don't think we as a country have figured out cost of living adjustments to compensation and taxes in general. I'm not sure you should. There's a reason for the cost of living to change so much from one region to another, and compensating that change with government money can have severe economic impacts.
  - perseusprime11 10y ago
    Aren't we already compensating by virtue of tax deductions at federal level and allowing certain states to not tax income?
lithos 10y ago
Sure some cities come ahead/untouched in this. But these immigration plans are to get rare skills, or combinations of skills. If that's not worth the 130k, your company doesn't need those skills enough to use this type of program. The program is now used for generic skills in some cases, and those should be handled through other immigration programs.
lithos 10y ago
Sure some cities come ahead/untouched in this. But these immigration plans are to get rare skills, or combinations of skills. If that's not worth the 130k, your company doesn't need those skills enough to use this type of program. The program is now used for generic skills in some cases, and those should be handled through other immigration programs.
hkarthik 10y ago
This will cause a housing crashing in the lower cost of living places like Texas where an H1B holder routinely makes less than $80K a year, but can still afford to buy brand new homes in the best school districts. Their employers will not able to hike their wages and will likely turn to outsourcing firms or open offices in the coasts where there is more qualified talent available. It will get fixed in about 4-5 years when enrollments into tech degrees catches up with the job market.

perseusprime11 10y ago

I don't think we as a country have figured out cost of living adjustments to compensation and taxes in general. I know first hand that there are certain jobs that pay you very similarly no matter where you are. So the guy in NYC pays more in taxes and cost of living while the gal in Texas saves a lot more especially with no state income tax, low property taxes, and lower cost of living.

reacharavindh 10y ago
I agree. Thinking about it, I made a conscious choice to stay at my current job in the east coast for this reason. (Nett money I could save was higher even with a lower pay than bay area). But, the impact of such variation only contributed to some decisions like mine, but not viability of jobs. I wonder what impact having access to viable H1B labor force would do for CA and expensive cities vs rest of the US.
marcosdumay 10y ago
> I don't think we as a country have figured out cost of living adjustments to compensation and taxes in general. I'm not sure you should. There's a reason for the cost of living to change so much from one region to another, and compensating that change with government money can have severe economic impacts.
- perseusprime11 10y ago
  Aren't we already compensating by virtue of tax deductions at federal level and allowing certain states to not tax income?

lithos 10y ago

Sure some cities come ahead/untouched in this. But these immigration plans are to get rare skills, or combinations of skills. If that's not worth the 130k, your company doesn't need those skills enough to use this type of program. The program is now used for generic skills in some cases, and those should be handled through other immigration programs.

lithos 10y ago

hkarthik 10y ago

This will cause a housing crashing in the lower cost of living places like Texas where an H1B holder routinely makes less than $80K a year, but can still afford to buy brand new homes in the best school districts. Their employers will not able to hike their wages and will likely turn to outsourcing firms or open offices in the coasts where there is more qualified talent available. It will get fixed in about 4-5 years when enrollments into tech degrees catches up with the job market.