Tian DuBelko
The H-1B visa is making headlines this week for reaching its 85,000 annual capacity in less than 5 days, for the fifth year in a row. This is hardly a surprising trend, considering how in demand skilled tech workers are for big tech firms. Many large tech companies operating in the United States have been outsourcing jobs requiring specialized software and engineering skills for the past few decades, and companies in Seattle are no different.
Big tech firms are paying H-1B workers more than their non-H1B counterparts, making these companies desirable employers for foreigners. In the Greater Seattle Area, major tech firms have opened their doors to foreign workers. While the number of work visas sponsored by the Washington tech industry is down 45% compared to the previous year, the average H-1B tech worker made $104,758 in 2016, according to Swizec.
The H-1B visa was created to help companies bring in foreigners with specialized skills that could not be found in an American citizen. Created over two decades ago, the H-1B visa has helped usher in upstart techies to an industry that is always in need of talent. Besides a comfortable salary, workers on the H-1B visa also gain the ability to live and work in the U.S. for up to six years. In 2015, nearly 70% of all H-1B workers were from India.
Silicon Valley is still the mecca for all things tech. However, the Seattle metropolitan area, including places like Bellevue, Tacoma, and Redmond, is quickly establishing itself as a desirable destination for tech companies of all sizes thanks to a business-oriented culture and a developing infrastructure. Tech companies in the area are looking for skilled industry programmers and engineers to help grow their businesses.
It’s no surprise that Seattle is becoming a more sought out destination for techies with so many tech companies based in the Puget Sound region. Swizec says that Seattle is best city for an H-1B in Washington, with an average individual salary $41,154 above the median household income. The median household income, which is calculated at $50,627, is typically a good proxy for the cost of living.
Swizec data shows that 76% of H-1B tech salaries fell between $80,000 and $140,000 in 2016, with a small percentage of tech workers earning up to $180,000. This means that for H-1B workers fortunate enough to make it through the lottery selection process, they can expect a well-paying position that easily covers their expected living expenses.
