The H-1B visa program, which permits US businesses to employ foreign experts in specialised fields, has been the subject of renewed scrutiny.
Under the Trump administration, the program has undergone significant changes in response to mounting concerns about its effects on American workers.
Nonetheless, a recent analysis by ZipRecruiter reveals some intriguing patterns about H-1B positions and their compensation ranges.
Top 5 H-1B jobs that pay well
The top five highest-paying positions for those with an H-1B visa are revealed by the analysis.
These jobs offer competitive pay for those looking for work in the market, even though none of them reach the overall average salary of $167,533 for H-1B roles.
With an annual salary of $126,666, the SAP business objects consultant is at the top of the pack.
This role not only offers a solid yearly income but also translates to a monthly pay of $10,555, a weekly wage of $2,435, and an hourly rate of $60.90.
Professionals skilled in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and data management are especially well-compensated in this role.
Next on the list is the H-1B minimum category, which has an average annual salary of $98,250.
It establishes the standard for many H-1B positions, even though it is lower than some of the other roles.
This salary is equivalent to $8,187 a month, $1,889 a week, and $47.24 an hour.
With an annual salary of $78,042, door-to-door pest control sales offers a good earning potential for individuals with a knack for sales.
With a monthly salary of $6,503, a weekly salary of $1,500, and an hourly wage of $37.52, this is a desirable choice for people who have a strong desire to meet sales goals and strong interpersonal skills.
The work-from-home airframe powerplant inspection authorisation position is another noteworthy position that provides a special combination of technical know-how and remote work.
It offers $6,154 per month, $1,420 per week, and an hourly rate of $35.50 with an annual salary of $73,848.
Those with prior experience in aircraft maintenance and inspection, especially those looking for flexible work schedules, would excel in this role.
The position of sales inspector, which pays $53,082 a year, completes the top five.
With a monthly salary of $4,423, a weekly salary of $1,020, and an hourly wage of $25.52, this job is a good fit for people who are good at inspection and quality control.
What is the average H-1B salary in the US?
The average annual salary for an H-1B visa holder in the US is $167,533. Breaking this down, it is approximately $80.54 per hour, or about $3,221 per week and $13,961 per month.
According to ZipRecruiter, H-1B salaries can range anywhere from $96,000 to $216,000 annually.
However, the bulk of salaries fall between $141,000 (25th percentile) and $192,000 (75th percentile), with top earners in the 90th percentile making around $206,500 annually.
It establishes the standard for many H-1B positions, even though it is lower than some of the other roles.
This salary is equivalent to $8,187 a month, $1,889 a week, and $47.24 an hour.
With an annual salary of $78,042, door-to-door pest control sales offer a good earning potential for individuals with a knack for sales.
With a monthly salary of $6,503, a weekly salary of $1,500, and an hourly wage of $37.52, this is a desirable choice for people who have a strong desire to meet sales goals and strong interpersonal skills.
Top ten cities offering the best pay for H-1B visa holders
Certain cities in the US offer significantly higher salaries for H-1B workers compared to the national average.
Leading the charge is Barrow, AK, followed closely by Nome, AK and Cupertino, California.
Cupertino’s average salary surpasses the national average by about $39,160 (23.4%), while Barrow offers a salary that is $41,175 (24.6%) above the typical H-1B pay.
These cities stand out as top locations for those looking to maximise their earnings under the H-1B program.
The salary differences among these cities are relatively small, with only about a 5% gap between Barrow, AK, and Palo Alto, CA.
This reveals that while these cities offer better pay, the potential for major wage growth is limited.
For many H-1B holders, factors like the cost of living may become more important than the salary itself when choosing where to settle.
