H-1B After Layoffs: Salary Data, Transfer Timelines (2025)
H-1B workers have 60 days after a layoff to find a new employer sponsor or change visa status. Based on LCA filing data from the Department of Labor, H-1B transfers to new employers show a median salary decrease of 5 to 8% for the same role and city. However, the range varies significantly by company tier and location.
This analysis uses 8.5 million LCA filings from FY2008 to FY2024 to compare salary patterns for workers who moved between employers. Understanding these patterns can help you negotiate better during a stressful transition.
Salary Change on H-1B Transfer by Company Tier
The salary impact of switching employers depends heavily on where you are coming from and where you are going. Moving between Big Tech companies typically preserves salary. Moving from Big Tech to a smaller company often means a 10 to 15% decrease.
| Transfer Direction | Median Salary Change | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Big Tech to Big Tech | +2% to +5% | Often an increase or lateral |
| Big Tech to Mid-size Tech | -5% to -10% | Moderate decrease |
| Big Tech to Consulting | -15% to -25% | Significant decrease |
| Mid-size to Mid-size | -2% to +3% | Roughly lateral |
| Consulting to Product | +20% to +40% | Large increase |
Most Active H-1B Employers (FY2024 Filing Volume)
These companies filed the most new LCA applications in FY2024, making them the most likely to be actively hiring H-1B transfers.
| # | Company | FY2024 Filings | Median Salary | Primary Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 12,654 | $150,903 | Seattle, WA |
| 2 | Cognizant Technology Solutions | 11,226 | $103,848 | Plano, TX |
| 3 | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 9,814 | $147,360 | New York, NY |
| 4 | Microsoft Corporation | 9,491 | $164,812 | Redmond, WA |
| 5 | Google LLC | 8,831 | $180,286 | Mountain View, CA |
| 6 | Infosys Limited | 5,896 | $96,898 | Richardson, TX |
| 7 | Tata Consultancy Services | 5,666 | $83,747 | Irving, TX |
| 8 | HCL America Inc | 3,929 | $106,608 | Frisco, TX |
| 9 | Walmart Associates | 3,812 | $141,234 | Bentonville, AR |
| 10 | TCS Limited (alternate entity) | 3,942 | $97,673 | Plano, TX |
Geographic Salary Impact When Relocating
If you need to relocate for a new H-1B position, expect salary adjustments based on the local cost of living. Moving from San Francisco to Austin typically means a 15 to 20% salary decrease, but the lower cost of living often offsets this.
| From City | To City | Typical SWE Salary Change |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | -18% |
| San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | -5% |
| New York, NY | Chicago, IL | -14% |
| New York, NY | Atlanta, GA | -17% |
| Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | -15% |
| Boston, MA | Raleigh, NC | -12% |
The 60-Day Grace Period: Key Facts
What the 60-day grace period allows
After your employment ends, you have 60 calendar days (or until your I-94 expires, whichever is sooner) to either find a new H-1B sponsor, change to another visa status, or depart. During this period, you maintain valid immigration status but cannot work unless a new employer files an H-1B transfer petition on your behalf.
H-1B transfer while on grace period
A new employer can file an H-1B transfer (Form I-129) while you are in the grace period. Once the petition is filed, you can begin working for the new employer immediately (assuming they request Change of Employer, not new cap). You do not need to wait for approval to start working.
Premium processing
Premium processing (Form I-907) guarantees a 15 business day adjudication. The fee is $2,805. Most H-1B transfer petitions use premium processing to reduce uncertainty. The approval rate for premium processing transfers is approximately 95%.
How to Research Salary at Target Employers
Before accepting an offer, check what the target company pays for your role:
GET /api/v1/salaries?employer=target_company&job_title=your_role&sort=salary_desc
Compare the offer against their own LCA filing history. If the offer is below their typical Level II filing, you have strong data to negotiate higher. See the API documentation for all available filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to find a new H-1B sponsor after layoff?
You have a 60-day grace period (or until your I-94 expiration, whichever is shorter) to find a new employer to file an H-1B transfer. During this period you maintain valid status but cannot work for anyone other than an employer who has filed or will file on your behalf.
Do I have to take a pay cut when transferring H-1B?
Based on LCA filing data, H-1B transfers show a median salary decrease of 5 to 8% when moving to the same role in the same city. However, this varies: transfers from Big Tech to other Big Tech companies often maintain or increase salary, while transfers to smaller companies typically see the largest decreases.
Which companies are actively hiring H-1B transfers?
Based on FY2024 LCA filing volume, the most active H-1B hiring companies are Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Walmart Technology, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce, and Cisco. These companies file thousands of new LCAs per quarter.
Can I negotiate salary during an H-1B transfer?
Yes. The new employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and location, but you can negotiate above that floor. Use LCA data to show what other companies pay for the same role. The 60-day deadline creates urgency, but do not accept below your market value without understanding your options.
What happens if I do not find a sponsor in 60 days?
If you cannot find a new H-1B sponsor within the 60-day grace period, you must either change to another valid visa status (B-1/B-2 tourist, F-1 student, etc.) or depart the United States. Overstaying beyond the grace period can result in bars on future visa applications.
How to check if a company sponsors H-1B visas?
Query the H-1B Salary Data API with the company name: GET /api/v1/salaries?employer=company_name. If results exist, the company has filed LCA applications for H-1B workers. You can filter by fiscal_year=2024 to see recent activity.
Get This Data via API
Query any company, job title, city, or salary range from 8.5 million H-1B records.
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