Every year, America’s top seven tech giants, along with several others, hire hundreds of thousands of overseas workers for roles such as Software Developers, Software Engineers, Program Managers, and Business Analysts. These jobs offer lucrative pay packages, attracting a flood of applications from across the globe, including India.
While the current US administration’s anti-migration stance may be putting pressure on such hiring practices, demand for skilled foreign professionals under H-1B and other specialised visas remains strong. According to data from the US Department of Labor, over 200,000 work visa applications were filed by US employers in just the first six months of this year. Major employers included Google, Apple, Cognizant, TCS, and other multinational firms and institutions. The data also revealed the minimum salary offered for various roles.
How Much Does Google Pay Overseas Workers?
The Department of Labor data shows that Google made several hiring disclosures in Q1 FY2025, primarily for high-skilled roles such as Software Engineers, Program Managers, and Business Analysts. The reported salaries ranged from approximately $146,000 to over $222,000 annually.
Notably, the highest-paying role listed was that of a Marketing Manager, with a declared compensation of $21.3 million, likely reflecting executive-level pay. However, this figure may not include additional benefits such as equity grants and bonuses.
Software Engineer positions dominate the filings, with salaries reaching up to $328,000.
Other high-paying roles at Google include:
Senior Staff Software Engineer – $321,625
Software Engineer Manager – $260,590
Program Manager, Alphabet Finance Systems – $265,000
Principal Account Manager – $137,419
Data Scientist / Research Scientist – up to $236,000
A Business Insider analysis highlighted that software engineers at Google can earn up to $340,000 annually. Research and hardware engineers are also highly compensated, with salaries going up to $265,000 and $284,000, respectively.
Product and programme managers earn strong pay too — product managers up to $280,000, technical programme managers up to $270,000. Data scientists and researchers can earn up to $303,000, while UX designers and researchers typically draw between $124,000 and $230,000. Roles in finance, consulting, and quality control — such as financial analysts, business systems analysts, and solutions consultants — often earn over $200,000 annually.
To support this high-performance culture, Google recently revamped its internal review process through a proprietary tool called GRAD (Googler Reviews and Development), linking employee evaluations directly to bonuses and stock-based incentives.
Top 10 Highest-Paying US Roles for Foreign Workers
An analysis of LCA (Labour Condition Application) filings for Q2 FY2025 reveals the top-paying jobs for foreign workers across tech and healthcare. Leading the list is the role of Marketing Manager at Google LLC, with a staggering declared wage of $21.3 million. Following closely is a Software Developer at CGI Technologies, earning a base salary of $1.37 million.
Other top-paying roles include, Senior VP of Operations at natural gas agency Venture Global LNG pays $950,000; Partner role at law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP pays $900,000. Several highly specialised doctors, including clinical and interventional cardiologists, oncologists, and gastroenterologists, earning between $700,000 and $750,000.
