[j_walter]

TW workers have a majority of their compensation in bonuses, so the OT portion is quite small and many do not even bother to ask for it. The overall compensation between a TW and US engineer at TSMC is also significant. Not to mention the lowest paid hourly workers...where in TW they make 2-3X minimum wage, but in the US it's like 1.25X.

[itake]

That is not what I heard from my cousin at TSMC. The OT gives the workers a “living wage”. Most of his coworkers charge OT every week of the year.

He admitted, even with their OT and bonuses, he probably makes more than them w2 salaries.

But my point still remains: if they want US (or TW) folks to work more hours, they need to pay for those hours.

[j_walter]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Semiconductors/comments/18x5vr5/sem...

This reddit post captures what I've seen at TSMC in Taiwan. $120K is normal pay at the director level...engineers make $2500-5000 a month. TSMC AZ starting pay for a new college grad w/ BS is probably just under $100K/year with just salary, with the potential to make over $120K within a few years with full vested bonuses.

[itake]

I think your numbers match what my cousin shared. In both my conversations with my cousin and in the reddit post, it is unclear if reported salaries are take-home or don't include the OT and bonuses, but I don't get your point?

My point is: Engineers in Taiwan work more hours because they are paid to work more hours (OT). Engineers in the USA are not paid more if they work 35 hours or 60 hours.

If TSMC wants to address the culture gap (get the Americans to work more), TSMC should pay up.

[ksec]

>My point is: Engineers in Taiwan work more hours because they are paid to work more hours (OT).

I can 100% tell you this is not true.