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Looks like about 25% of software developers (broadly defined) are on H1B visas. 254k/365k of H1B petitions in 2017 were for computer occupations (those are pre

Looks like about 25% of software developers (broadly defined) are on H1B visas. 254k/365k of H1B petitions in 2017 were for computer occupations (those are predominantly in software development and computer programming). If we assume the proportion of actual workers is similar to petitions, we would assume there are about 400k H1B workers in software. About 1.5 million were employed in software development and computer programming 2018.

woobar 6y ago
Not sure why you only count two occupations from the BLS list [1] Total of all Computer and IT jobs in 2018 was 4+ millions. [1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/...
- jacobriis 6y ago
  H1B petitions in computer occupations are predominantly in software development and computer programming. About 30% are for "computer systems analyst" or "computer occupations, other" but I don't really buy most of those petitions aren't actually for devs. All software developers on TN visas (NAFTA/USMCA visas) are officially "computer systems analysts" for example.
  - ma2rten 6y ago
    I believe that some (almost all?) are Software Engineers on TN visa are Engineers.
    - jacobriis 6y ago
      In an informational bulletin, USCIS also stated that “Engineers may not fill computer-related jobs under TN classification unless they have credentials as computer or software engineers from institutions that recognize computer or software engineering as bona fide engineering specialties offering full engineering credentials, such as professional engineering licenses.” USCIS Employment Bulletin: NAFTA (2005).
  - woobar 6y ago
    Not sure where are you getting 32% from. The table on p. 15 has "Systems Analysis And Programming" at 56% of all petitions. Other computer related occupations are 10.4% https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/reports-studies/Characteristics_of_Specialty_Occupation_Workers_H-1B_Fiscal_Year_2018.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/reports-studies/Ch...
    - jacobriis 6y ago
      "Systems Analysis And Programming" (62.2%) and "Computer Occupations, Other" (8.4%) are together 70.6% in 2017. That's the approximately the same population as "254k/365k of H1B petitions in 2017 were for computer occupations" which is about ~70%. So 86% of of "Systems Analysis And Programming" and "Computer Occupations, Other" are "Systems Analysis And Programming". If you want to assume "Computer Occupations, Other" are not devs, which is not a good assumption in my opinion then fine only 86% are devs.
      - woobar 6y ago
        Why are we switching to 2017 suddenly? Still, where are the 32% came from in your previous comment?
rtkwe 6y ago
CS seems pretty easy for H1B to fulfill the 'unable to find a worker in the US' because there's always another library an employer can say is required for the job.

woobar 6y ago

Not sure why you only count two occupations from the BLS list [1] Total of all Computer and IT jobs in 2018 was 4+ millions. [1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/...

jacobriis 6y ago
H1B petitions in computer occupations are predominantly in software development and computer programming. About 30% are for "computer systems analyst" or "computer occupations, other" but I don't really buy most of those petitions aren't actually for devs. All software developers on TN visas (NAFTA/USMCA visas) are officially "computer systems analysts" for example.
- ma2rten 6y ago
  I believe that some (almost all?) are Software Engineers on TN visa are Engineers.
  - jacobriis 6y ago
    In an informational bulletin, USCIS also stated that “Engineers may not fill computer-related jobs under TN classification unless they have credentials as computer or software engineers from institutions that recognize computer or software engineering as bona fide engineering specialties offering full engineering credentials, such as professional engineering licenses.” USCIS Employment Bulletin: NAFTA (2005).
- woobar 6y ago
  Not sure where are you getting 32% from. The table on p. 15 has "Systems Analysis And Programming" at 56% of all petitions. Other computer related occupations are 10.4% https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/reports-studies/Characteristics_of_Specialty_Occupation_Workers_H-1B_Fiscal_Year_2018.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/reports-studies/Ch...
  - jacobriis 6y ago
    "Systems Analysis And Programming" (62.2%) and "Computer Occupations, Other" (8.4%) are together 70.6% in 2017. That's the approximately the same population as "254k/365k of H1B petitions in 2017 were for computer occupations" which is about ~70%. So 86% of of "Systems Analysis And Programming" and "Computer Occupations, Other" are "Systems Analysis And Programming". If you want to assume "Computer Occupations, Other" are not devs, which is not a good assumption in my opinion then fine only 86% are devs.
    - woobar 6y ago
      Why are we switching to 2017 suddenly? Still, where are the 32% came from in your previous comment?

rtkwe 6y ago

CS seems pretty easy for H1B to fulfill the 'unable to find a worker in the US' because there's always another library an employer can say is required for the job.