3 ms·

The minimum salary really should be increased these days. Given the current income percentiles in the US (https://dqydj.com/average-median-top-household-income

The minimum salary really should be increased these days. Given the current income percentiles in the US (https://dqydj.com/average-median-top-household-income-percentiles/ https://dqydj.com/average-median-top-household-income-percen...). The current H1B min-salary is $60k, which is below the median household wage in the US. The min-salary should instead be pegged to the p90, which is currently at $130k. That way foreign workers (which includes myself and many friends) should absolutely be held to the highest standard and be the best and the brightest and pushing the bar higher for 90% of US citizens.

dragonwriter 3y ago
> The current H1B min-salary is $60k, which is below the median household wage Why is household even relevant here? Its above the annualized amount of the median full-time weekly pay.
- Dork1234 3y ago
  Until recently spouses of H1-B visa holders were not allowed to work (I don't think they should either). You can reasonably expect a college educated person to want to start a family, and would expect them to be able to provide for their family if they have an in demand job.
  - yazaddaruvala 3y ago
    > Until recently spouses of H1-B visa holders were not allowed to work (I don't think they should either). FWIW, I disagree with this one point. I know a lot of partners of H1Bs and there is a large psychological toll to not being allowed to "contribute to society" if you are able and wanting to. There is also a large psychological toll to moving to a new country, a lot of America's adult friendships are created in the workplace. Finally there is a large psychological toll to not having independence in making some side money to be able to spend it the way you want (even if the money earner "gifts" that freedom - because why wouldn't they - there can be a guilt associated with using the money). Therefore, I do think its overall worthwhile for partners of H1Bs to be allowed to work if they so choose. That said, I do feel like the minimum household salary for getting an H1B should be high enough to compensate for potentially both people working in the US, in a way that helps uplift wages for US citizens. That might mean using p91 or p95, I'm not qualified to pick the exact value, but I do think the general strategy would be best for "the best and brightest" immigrant families(or individuals) and for citizens.

dragonwriter 3y ago

> The current H1B min-salary is $60k, which is below the median household wage Why is household even relevant here? Its above the annualized amount of the median full-time weekly pay.

Dork1234 3y ago
Until recently spouses of H1-B visa holders were not allowed to work (I don't think they should either). You can reasonably expect a college educated person to want to start a family, and would expect them to be able to provide for their family if they have an in demand job.
- yazaddaruvala 3y ago
  > Until recently spouses of H1-B visa holders were not allowed to work (I don't think they should either). FWIW, I disagree with this one point. I know a lot of partners of H1Bs and there is a large psychological toll to not being allowed to "contribute to society" if you are able and wanting to. There is also a large psychological toll to moving to a new country, a lot of America's adult friendships are created in the workplace. Finally there is a large psychological toll to not having independence in making some side money to be able to spend it the way you want (even if the money earner "gifts" that freedom - because why wouldn't they - there can be a guilt associated with using the money). Therefore, I do think its overall worthwhile for partners of H1Bs to be allowed to work if they so choose. That said, I do feel like the minimum household salary for getting an H1B should be high enough to compensate for potentially both people working in the US, in a way that helps uplift wages for US citizens. That might mean using p91 or p95, I'm not qualified to pick the exact value, but I do think the general strategy would be best for "the best and brightest" immigrant families(or individuals) and for citizens.