Indian Tech Returnees Hit By Pay Cuts, Job Scarcity

The survey, conducted by the anonymous professional networking platform Blind, polled verified tech workers in India and found that more than half are experiencing a tightening job market. Among the respondents, 51% reported a decline in available positions, a trend attributed largely to the growing number of Indian tech workers returning from the United States.

Reverse migration has accelerated in recent years, driven by factors such as US visa backlogs, layoffs in the American tech sector, and a desire to be closer to family. As these returnees bring US experience and skills, they often compete for senior roles, intensifying competition for local professionals.

The survey also highlighted pay disparities, with many returnees accepting salary cuts compared to their US earnings. While India's tech salaries have risen, they remain significantly lower than US packages, and the influx of experienced candidates has put downward pressure on offers in some segments.

Blind's data, which is based on verified professionals, offers a snapshot of sentiment among India's tech workforce. The findings suggest that the reverse migration wave, once seen as a boon for India's talent pool, is now creating new challenges for those already in the domestic job market.