The H-1B visa program is a lifeline for skilled foreign workers, and it just got pricier.
With a new $100,000 fee for overseas applications now in effect, U.S. companies who rely on the program face the biggest cost shift in its history.
A new analysis from Manifest Law shows where in the U.S. H-1B workers earn the most and what changes could mean for employers and job seekers.
NY Metro Ranks Near the Top
New York-Newark-Jersey City H-1B workers earn a median income of $128,939, putting the NYC-metro 7th among large U.S. cities. Salaries range from $96K to $175K, with top employers including Ernst & Young, JPMorgan Chase and Cognizant.
Nationwide, the median H-1B salary is $123,828.
California, Washington and Oregon report the highest wages for H-1B workers, with California leading at $167,534. Silicon Valley and Seattle tech hubs continue to pay the top salaries, while smaller metros in healthcare-heavy regions—like Parkersburg, WV, and Lake Havasu City, AZ—surpass $315K for specialty roles.
Specialists and Tech Giants Cash In
The highest-paid H-1B workers are typically specialty physicians and Big Tech employees. Cardiologists, anesthesiologists and surgeons top $300K, while on the tech side, Roku leads with a median of $376,579.
Netflix, Airbnb, LinkedIn and Nvidia also pay top wages for skilled H-1B workers.
Visa Approvals Hit a 15-Year High
H-1B approvals surged in 2022, passing 442,000—the highest in more than 15 years. So far in 2025 under President Trump, H-1B approvals total over 406,000. However, the new $100K overseas filing fee, rising wage requirements and a wage-weighted lottery could halt these numbers. Companies that traditionally rely on the program may rethink hiring abroad, rely on automation and AI-integration or focus on renewing existing visas.
What It Means for New Jersey
For local H-1B workers in New Jersey, the data signals strong pay for the region, but looming rule changes may shift hiring strategies altogether.
With tech and finance giants sponsoring the most visas, New Jersey could see a shift in demand for specialized roles as companies adjust to new costs.
Full Report: Manifest Law H-1B Wage Analysis
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.