[scythe]

I think this hits a snag (as do many income-based schemes) when you consider the effect of region. This results in lots of H1-Bs going to San Francisco, and almost none to Atlanta, because salaries for the same position are twice as high in San Francisco.

[justinsb]

It sounds like you believe that there should be an equal geographic distribution of H1Bs. I've never heard this as a goal - can you explain why it should be?

[scythe]

Not equal. Just not insanely skewed. Winner-take-all by salary means that a city where people make 150% as much as another city will get say 95% of the H1-Bs.

[hbharadwaj]

You could try and maybe normalize salaries based on the location I guess, but this also hits a snag when you take into account occupation. Some occupations generally pay lesser than others. Do they then not warrant H1Bs? Don't think so.

[deskamess]

If an occupation has a lower salary, then perhaps its time for the occupation to pay more to attract local candidates. Otherwise the H-1B is being used to suppress wages.

[findjashua]

agree on normalizing for location, but not on occupation. If certain occupations require higher skills, and are therefore able to pay higher salaries, then I see nothing wrong with them getting higher priority.