[marvin]

The "able to pay" part will resolve itself if you manage to start a sufficiently successful startup. Eventually through high enough profits, since the startups that turn into global leaders in their field are more profitable per employee than anything a local non-tech company can compete with.

Getting to that point is a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem, though. And firing policies is a political barrier that's hard to avoid. I suppose you could keep everyone on as contractors, paying them standard rates but going to them directly, not through an agency. That would land the salaries in the region suggested, and you'd still have the ability to fire without cause.

[rapsey]

Lack of VC money makes starting a sufficiently successful startup a bit difficult. There is a reason there is only one silicon valley.

[ricardobayes]

There are more silicon valleys, like Tel-Aviv or Shenzen, but arguably the Bay Area is the only one merit-based. Good luck getting funded at the other two as a foreigner.