Key Facts

• H-1B visa holders on Deel’s platform earn a median salary of $140,000 in the U.S., compared to $130,000 for comparable American workers.
• Immigrant workers are on average about five years younger than their American peers in similar roles.
• At top U.S. startup companies, foreign workers earn around $260,000 median salary, about $100,000 more than American workers, especially in AI and technical jobs.
• The study covers multiple countries and finds a similar pattern where skilled immigrant workers earn more than local workers.
• Immigrant workers mostly fill engineering and tech roles, while locals fill jobs needing regional knowledge like sales and creative positions.
• Some previous research found H-1B workers earn less than U.S. workers after adjusting for factors like job type and location, showing wage comparisons vary by method.
• The U.S. immigration system for skilled workers is very selective, which may explain higher pay for visa holders.
• Critics argue the data may overlook cases where American workers are paid less or replaced by H-1B workers.