Does Google Pay Its H-1B Workers Better?
|
In a day and age when most of the salary data that comes out about foreign workers in the United States on H-1B visas doesn't paint the program in the most positive light, a rudimentary analysis by a technology blog of Google's California H-1B data for the last three years suggests that Google might be paying its H-1Bs more than a 20-percent premium over prevailing wages grabs headlines. The average annual wage proposed by Google for H1-B hires in 2007 was $96,876, according to Labor Condition Application data, compared to an average prevailing wage of $79,777. Companies are required by law to pay H-1B visa holders at or above the prevailing wage for their job roles. However, the prevailing wage minimums are set by the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, which, according to many, drastically understates wages that major employers actually pay. Because of this, getting a feel for what the correct salary is for a skilled foreign worker--often with at least one advanced degree--is difficult. Either way, Google is likely to get some good press for this, even if "look! We're not underpaying our workers!" isn't the kind of bragging they'd hoped to do. |
For more IT Careers and Workplace News, check out eWeek Careers
Comments (8)
Does Google use any lower-paid workers from contract shops?
Posted by Anne B. | May 29, 2008 7:41 PM
Please visit www.h1bfacts.com.
Posted by Paul Bain | May 30, 2008 11:11 AM
They didn't hire me. Didn't even give me an interview.
If Google is really paying its H1-B workers prevailing wage, as required by law, then they are one of the very few.
I have mixed feelings about this. I met Larry when Google was still a startup (he gave me a T-shirt), and I understand that they're trying to not be evil. It's just that, in my guts, I also know that H1-B is basically a criminal conspiracy to commit immigration fraud, and I continue to believe that anyone who turns down a US citizen while hiring an H1-B deserves to be tarred and feathered.
Sorry about that, Larry. I recommend the La Brea tar, along with the (synthetic) Hollo-Fil feathers. . .
Posted by Dave D'Rave | May 30, 2008 6:21 PM
Firms like Google claim that they hire the "Best and Brightest". 20% over the "average" does not sound like the wages of someone really bright with the latest skills. The best and brightest make 100% more than the average. The real truth is that in 2000 the "average" entry level salary for CS grad was $50,000 and it is still $50,000 today. Which means, after inflation, it is down about 25% (cruel hint, in about 2000 oil was $10 per barrel.) A past president of Intel said "The half-life of a programmer is two years." Translation, they have so many young guys willing to work 70 hours a week that as soon as you ask for a raise you are out of there.
Posted by Harrison Picot | May 31, 2008 6:45 PM
"Prevailing wage" is not market wage. It is a low-ball number set by corporate lawyers.
With H-1B visas, US Congress allows companies to completely LEGALLY replace American workers with cheap labor.
Posted by Boris Galinsky | June 1, 2008 12:54 AM
Check out all of their H1B applications. I doubt that you will find that Google is any different than the Indian Body Shops.
http://www.h1bfacts.com/google-h1b-jobs-2007.html
Posted by twins.fan | June 1, 2008 10:38 PM
this is reverse discrimination on the american workers,and i think that it ought to br illegal to hireany foreign workers period.
Posted by mike brown | June 6, 2008 12:12 PM
this is reverse discrimination on the american workers,and i think that it ought to br illegal to hireany foreign workers period.AMERICAN citizens are born here and i think they deserve consideration of this fact and immigrants should be taking the risk of leaving their country for something uncertain,and it should not be a guarantee of a job.
Posted by mike brown | June 6, 2008 12:26 PM