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583,000 Tech Jobs Now Open for Americans: How the $100K H1B Fee Changes Everything

By Wiingy on Sep 20, 2025

Updated Sep 20, 2025

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Policy Changes Could Redirect 583,420 Tech Jobs to U.S. Professionals by 2029

Every current H1B worker needs visa renewal within 3-6 years. With the new $100,000 fee making renewals economically unviable, these positions, averaging $167,533 annually, will transition to American workers.

California, Texas, New York to See Largest Tech Job Openings

  • California: ~175,000 tech positions (30% of national H1B workforce)
  • New York: ~170,000 positions (29% concentration in NYC metro)
  • Texas: ~46,000 positions, plus fastest tech growth in nation

Choosing a STEM Career Can Mean $2.2 Million More in Earnings

According to BLS data, STEM workers earn an average of $101,650 annually, compared to $46,680 for non-STEM workers—a yearly difference of $54,970. Over a 40-year career, this translates to an additional $2.2 million in earnings. For those securing H1B-level positions with an average salary of $167,533, the lifetime advantage can reach as high as $4.8 million.

Only 20% of American Entry-Level Developers Ready for Coming Growth

Software development jobs are projected to grow 17% through 2033, yet only 1 in 5 U.S. high school graduates are prepared for college-level STEM. Those who prepare now will seize the opportunity

Indian IT Services Model Collapses

Companies like Infosys and TCS, which claimed 20% of all H1B visas, will face complete business model disruption. Their 80,000+ US-based positions must be filled domestically.


The $100,000 Bombshell: A Turning Point for U.S. Tech

On September 19, 2025, President Trump reshaped America’s tech workforce with a single executive order, introducing a $100,000 fee for H1B visa applications, confirmed by CNN and NPR.

The new $100K visa fee will hit major tech employers hardest, adding billions in unexpected costs. The table below shows the potential financial impact on top H1B sponsors in 2024.

CompanyH1B Approvals (2024)Extra Cost at $100K/each
Amazon10,969$1.1 billion
Tata Consultancy Services5,500$550 million
Microsoft~5,000$500 million
Meta~4,500$450 million
Google~4,000$400 million
Top H1B Employers Facing Disruption
Top H1B Employers Facing Disruption
Top H1B Employers Facing Disruption

These companies now face a stark choice: absorb astronomical fees or accelerate the hiring of American workers. With many already implementing layoffs, the direction forward appears evident.


Mapping America’s H1B Reliance: Top Regions for Tech Employment

Pew Research’s analysis of USCIS data (2010–2016), combined with current employment and salary trends, reveals where this reliance has been most concentrated, and where the impact of recent policy changes will be felt most acutely. 

The following breakdown highlights the states and regions most dependent on H1B workers, their economic significance, and the challenges they face in filling roles with domestic talent.

  1. California (Estimated ~175,000 H1B positions)
  • Silicon Valley hosts 84.6 tech jobs per 1,000 workers , the highest concentration nationwide
  • San Francisco–San Jose offers the highest salaries, averaging $173,780 (BLS)
  • The state is home to Google, Meta, Apple, and thousands of startups
  • Faces an immediate challenge in filling open tech positions
  1. New York (Estimated ~170,000 H1B positions)
  • NYC metro recorded 247,900 H1B approvals from 2010-2016 (29% of national total)
  • The financial technology sector is particularly reliant on H1B talent
  • Average tech salary in the region stands at $128,570 (BLS)
  1. Texas (Estimated ~46,000 H1B positions)
  • CompTIA reports over 1 million tech workers in state
  • Added 45,331 tech jobs in 2022 alone- the highest of any U.S. region
  • Dallas recorded 74,000 H1B approvals from 2010–2016
  • No state income tax boosts take-home pay by 8–10%
  1. Washington State (Estimated ~35,000 H1B positions)
  • Home to the headquarters of Amazon and Microsoft
  • Seattle software developers earn an average salary of $164,080 (BLS)
  • Strong concentration of roles in cloud computing and AI

Filling the H1B Gap: The Skills America Needs Most

With the new $100,000 H1B fee reshaping tech hiring, U.S. employers will face an urgent need to fill roles traditionally occupied by foreign talent. 

An analysis of job postings (September 2025), combined with BLS growth projections, highlights the skills now in highest demand and the salaries they command.

SkillOpen PositionsAverage SalaryGrowth Rate (BLS)
Cloud Computing (AWS/Azure)~80,000$145,00015% through 2033
AI/Machine Learning~70,000$165,00022% through 2033
Python Programming~65,000$125,000Part of 17% growth
Cybersecurity~55,000$135,00020% through 2033
Data Analysis~60,000$115,00014% through 2033
Highest-Demand Tech Skills and Salaries

Source: Aggregated job posting data; BLS Occupational Outlook

The sharp rise in H1B costs will force companies to rethink their talent strategies, creating unprecedented opportunities for American workers. 

Cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, Python, and data analysis stand out as the most in-demand skills, offering not only six-figure salaries but also long-term career security. 

For those prepared to step into roles once dominated by H1B workers, the payoff has never been greater.


The Education Emergency: Only 20% Americans Ready to Seize Opportunity

While 583,420 high-paying tech jobs are opening up, America’s students are not adequately prepared to seize them. Multiple sources highlight a persistent preparation gap:

The Preparation Gap (Multiple sources confirm):

  • Only 20% of U.S. high school graduates are ready for college-level STEM (NSF, Harvard Gazette).
  • 40% of high schools do not offer computer science courses (Code.org, 2024).
  • Just 6.4% of students enroll in foundational computer science classes.
  • The U.S. ranks 34th out of 80 countries in mathematics proficiency (OECD/PISA).
  • Even among STEM graduates, retention is weak: research in Inside Higher Ed shows that 30–60% do not work in STEM fields, and 45% accept non-STEM roles immediately after graduation.

The implication is clear: although hundreds of thousands of high-paying roles are becoming available, only a small fraction of American students are positioned to fill them. 

Those who act now, whether through accelerated learning programs, bootcamps, tutoring, or focused study, stand to inherit an extraordinary opportunity.

The Timeline: When Opportunities Open for Aspiring American Tech Workers

Phase 1: Immediate Impact (Now – December 2025)

  • 85,000 new H1B positions limited by the annual cap
  • Entry-level hiring shifting toward domestic workers
  • Companies with pending H1B applications reconsidering strategies
  • Best positioned: Recent computer science graduates and bootcamp completers

Phase 2: The Renewal Wave (2026-2027)

  • First wave of 3-year H1B renewals faces the $100,000 fee
  • ~250,000 workers per year require renewal or replacement
  • Increased competition sparks a salary surge for qualified Americans
  • Best positioned: Students currently in college graduating into rising demand.

Phase 3: Complete Transformation (2028-2029)

  • All 583,420 H1B positions come up for renewal or replacement
  • Domestic talent pipeline becomes the primary source of hiring
  • Industry reaches a new equilibrium with greater reliance on American workers
  • Best positioned: Current high school students who begin preparing now.

The New Tech Divide: Who Benefits, Who Falls Behind

The Winners:

Computer Science Students: Starting salaries are projected to rise 20–30% as competition for domestic talent intensifies. 

Graduates from 2026–2028 are positioned to experience peak opportunity. 

With STEM workers earning an estimated $2.2 million more over their careers than non-STEM peers, the return on investment in a computer science degree has never been stronger.

Career Changers: The 12–24 week bootcamp model is becoming increasingly viable. 

As companies face urgent talent shortages, they are more willing to hire candidates from non-traditional backgrounds. 

Even at entry-level, tech salaries remain double the U.S. median wage, making the switch especially attractive.

Texas, Florida, North Carolina:  These states combine no state income tax, expanding tech sectors, and lower costs of living, making them prime destinations for both companies and workers moving away from high-cost coastal hubs.

Community Colleges: Affordable two-year programs that blend practical skills with accessible tuition are expected to see a surge in enrollment, offering a cost-effective pathway into the tech workforce.

The Losers

  • Indian IT Service Companies: Firms such as Infosys, TCS, and Wipro, long reliant on H1B visa arbitrage, face a severe challenge. Controlling roughly 20% of all H1B visas, their business models are under existential pressure.

Counting the Cost: The True Financial Impact of H1B Changes

The $100,000 H1B visa fee is more than a policy shift, it represents a massive economic realignment. 

At the macro level, 583,420 tech jobs averaging $167,533 per year translate into $97.7 billion in annual salaries, nearly $100 billion redirected into the pockets of U.S. workers each year. 

583,420 jobs × $167,533 average salary = $97.7 billion annually

For perspective, this figure exceeds the GDP of more than 120 countries.

Lifetime Earnings Potential for the Next Generation of American Techies

Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data:

  • STEM workers median salary: $101,650 per year
  • Non-STEM workers median salary: $46,680 per year
  • Annual difference: $54,970
  • 40-year career difference: ≈ $2.2 million more for STEM careers

For those securing H1B-level positions:

  • H1B average salary: $167,533 per year
  • U.S. median wage: $48,060 per year
  • Annual difference: $119,473
  • 40-year career difference: ≈ $4.78 million more

This analysis highlights impact on two levels. At the national level, nearly $100 billion in salaries are shifting each year from foreign to domestic workers, keeping that wealth within the U.S. economy. 

At the individual level, Americans who step into these roles can gain millions over a lifetime, with earnings advantages ranging from $2.2 million for typical STEM paths to nearly $4.8 million for those in H1B-level positions.

This dramatic shift creates two clear outcomes:

  • For the prepared: access to stable, high-paying careers and long-term prosperity.
  • For the unprepared: the risk of watching the greatest job windfall in decades pass by.

The choice lies with today’s students and workers. Those who act now, through education, bootcamps, tutoring, or self-study, will be positioned to secure careers that define the next generation of American success.  

The window is open, but it will not remain open forever.

How can American students seize this amazing opportunity? 

With over half a million tech jobs now open, speed is your greatest advantage. Here’s a streamlined plan to outpace the competition and secure your role.

1. Start Today with Free Resources: 

Don’t wait. Use top-tier YouTube channels like freeCodeCamp.org and Fireship to immediately start building foundational skills in coding, AI, or cloud computing. This is the fastest way to explore your interests and begin building a project portfolio on GitHub.

2. Get Certified for Instant Credibility: 

Certifications are the quickest way to prove your skills to employers. 

Focus on industry-recognized credentials like AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner for cloud roles or CompTIA Security+ for cybersecurity. 

Platforms like Coursera and Udacity offer direct paths to these job-ready qualifications.

3. Use Tutoring to Accelerate Past Hurdles: 

This is your secret weapon for speed. While others get stuck on complex math for AI or difficult exam topics, personalized tutoring provides expert help to solve problems in hours, not weeks. 

It’s the most efficient way to gain mastery and a critical edge in the hiring process.

The window of opportunity is now. This three-step approach, learn for free, certify your skills, and accelerate with expert help, is the most direct path to claiming a high-paying role in America’s new tech landscape. Act decisively while others are still planning.

Sources and Verification

All statistics in this report are drawn from:

  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official reports
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment data
  • Pew Research Center analysis of government data
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) education statistics
  • Major news outlets confirming the September 19, 2025 executive order

Lifetime Earnings Calculation Methodology:

  • Based on BLS median wages: STEM ($101,650) vs non-STEM ($46,680)

About Wiingy

Wiingy is a leading tutor marketplace connecting students with top-rated private STEM tutors at affordable prices. 

Wiingy features expert-vetted tutors in Mathematics, Computer Science, Python, JavaScript, AI/Machine Learning, Data Science, and all STEM subjects critical for high-paying tech careers.

Whether you’re strengthening calculus foundations, learning to code from scratch, or mastering advanced AI concepts, Wiingy’s 1-on-1 private tutoring helps students and professionals skill up for tech opportunities emerging in America.

With expert-vetted tutors, personalized STEM education is accessible to everyone ready to invest in their career advantage.

Find your perfect STEM tutor today at wiingy.com.

For fact-checking and regional data: growth_marketing@wiingy.com

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