Jobs Paying $250K Get 10x Fewer H-1B Workers Than $200K Jobs [OC] (opens in new tab)

I'm not sure I get it, are you saying that wage alone should determine visa eligibility? I'm gonna guess that location is the primary reason here. Do you have any data, for example, on foreign workers that stay versus bail on rural/remote jobs in the long run? My rough guess is that there's more than just looking at the money. Maybe these doctors are picking these jobs as a gateway to later switch to a preferred location and aren't staying, so they are being more picky? (My comment is anecdotal and I have no basis just a hunch)

Author here. Quick methodology notes:

Data: 20,225 H-1B LCA disclosures from DOL, FY2024, healthcare occupations only Analysis: Python (pandas), mapped ZIP → RUCC codes, median wage by volume quintile Key limitation: This is LCA data (intent to hire), not final USCIS approvals

Interesting rabbit holes:

Urban/rural split isn't binary—codes 4-6 show gradient effects

Wage level inversions strongest in codes 7-9 (most rural)

Happy to answer methodology questions.