Ever searched "Salesforce Developer" on LinkedIn and wondered-how many of them are actually on H1B visas? You're not alone.
Some estimates suggest there are about 6,000 Salesforce developers in the U.S., and around 600-800 H1B approvals each year for this role. Do the math, and that's possibly 10-30% of the talent pool being visa holders.
That raises a very real question-are we indeed experiencing a skills shortage, or is the system hiring and filling positions that aren't necessarily all that "specialized"? Particularly when Salesforce is now a skill that can be learned in bootcamps, online training programs, and even company upskilling initiatives.
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The H1B program was initially intended for difficult-to-fill jobs-AI, quantum computing, specialized tech stacks. But it's become a pipeline for run-of-the-mill jobs as well over time. That's not necessarily bad, but it does put the notion that each H1B hire is someone who fills a gap that no one else can into question.
And here's the surprise-most of these Salesforce jobs don't earn six figures. In fact, statistics indicate approximately 30% of them are making less than $100K, which in San Francisco or New York, hardly pays the rent. So if these aren't high-end, highly-specialized jobs… why are so many being hired through H1B?
This is not about where individuals are from. Diversity is good for the workforce, and there are many on H1B who bring actual skills and dedication. But the issue is more systemic: are firms using H1Bs due to genuine shortages-or because it suits a business model?
When the job market is tight, and even veteran local candidates are having trouble finding work, these questions get louder. Not to polarize, but to get at what the system's really incentivizing-and what that means for everyone trying to make a career in tech, visa status or not.