US Tech Layoffs Push Professionals Back To India And Lower Salaries: Survey

India-West News Desk

HYDERABAD-As more Indian technology professionals return from the United States amid visa uncertainty, many in India’s tech industry say finding a job has become more difficult, even as multinational companies continue expanding their operations in the country.

A survey by Blind, an anonymous community platform for professionals, found that 53 percent of 1,276 verified respondents have witnessed this reverse migration. More than one in three said colleagues or job candidates have already moved back from the US, while another 17 percent know people preparing to return.

The shift comes at a time when Global Capability Centers are growing across India. But according to the survey, many respondents believe these expanding operations are largely hiring professionals returning from the US, rather than creating more opportunities for candidates already based in India.

That perception is reflected in the survey findings. While 26 percent of respondents said job openings have increased over the past year, 51 percent felt opportunities have actually become fewer.

The pattern is most visible at major technology companies that are rapidly expanding their India operations. Among respondents, 57 percent of Amazon employees, 58 percent of Walmart employees and 55 percent of Uber employees said they had seen colleagues or candidates relocate to India after working in the US.

For many of those returning, however, the move comes with a significant reduction in pay. One respondent who previously worked at a large technology company said salaries offered in India can be as low as one-fifth of US compensation. Another senior technology professional, who requested anonymity, said many workers are accepting lower salaries and benefits to avoid the uncertainty surrounding US work visas.

The survey found that the impact is not uniform across the industry. Professionals in artificial intelligence and machine learning appear to be in a stronger position, with 42 percent saying job opportunities have declined. The figures were higher for other roles, with 52 percent of software engineering professionals, 54 percent of product professionals and 56 percent of those in data and analytics reporting fewer openings than a year ago.

Respondents also expressed mixed views about the long-term impact of the trend. Negative sentiment stood at 39 percent, compared with 21 percent who viewed it positively. The remaining 40 percent were undecided, reflecting uncertainty over whether the return of experienced professionals from the US will strengthen India’s technology sector or simply intensify competition for available jobs.

Blind conducted the survey between June 16 and June 25 among 1,276 India-based verified professionals to understand how reverse migration from the US is affecting India’s technology job market.