Working in US

[greatgwapo99]

Any pexers here working in US?

How much is the cost of living in the US?
How much should an IT professional be asking for in the US?

I'm offered $2000 per month, is that enough?

[lowelluk]

I worked in New York for 5 years. The cost of living is relative to your location. The rent can range from $600-$1000 depending on the size and location. I have a friend who is renting a small place in Queens (already in the outskirt of New York) and it is costing her $600 for the rent only. If you live within the city, the room rent is about $1000. The bills can take up to about $100-$200 more. The food and miscellaneous may cost you $500-$1000 according to your lifestyle. Bale ang gastusin mo ay nasa range ng $1200-$2200 per month. Sa New York iyan, sa other cities might be less.

Is the $2000 already your net pay? If not, then the tax man (federal tax, state tax, SSS, and others) can take up to 30% of your earnings. The offer of $2000 per month sounds really low to think that most of the IT professionals here in the US can command good money. I have friends who works in IT and earns as much as $100,000+ annually. Of course, the pay is related to your work experience and the type of company (big or small) you're working with. If you can earn $45,000 per annum, you can have a modest living here in the US. I believe that in order to get an H-1B (working)visa, the employer are required to pay a potential employee a minimum amount of $50,000 per annum (I'm not sure about this amount but you can check it with immigration websites). Also the quota for H-1B visa for this year has already been filled up, so you need to wait until April 2008 to apply and October 2008 to work. You should apply as early as April since the quota get reached so quickly in just a few days/week. There are loads of IT immigrations websites which can give you the proper information and can answer all your queries. Hope this helps.

[jashaleigh8102]

hi lowelluk

i am very eager to apply in US to be honest, I was there last May to have a training, I am working with Emerson Motors, thru SYKES as an outsource, as of now I have a Non Immigrant Visa and will expire next year. I just wanna ask what are the companies that will sponsor a working visa? im an Industrial Engineering graduat and have various experiences in Production planning, customer service and Sales/marketing. Can you pls give me tips, what jobsite will I post my resume?Or what should i do in order for me to land in a good job. thanks alot in advance!:)

[greatgwapo99]

lowelluk, thanks for the reply. :)

Actually, I had a typo error in my first post. It should be "If I'm offered $2000 per month, is that enough?". Apparently it is not enough. :lol:

Hmm.. Will my 2 years experience in IT can command a $3750 per month salary there? Can you do me a favor and ask your friends who work in IT there? :)

[lowelluk]

lowelluk, thanks for the reply. :)

Actually, I had a typo error in my first post. It should be "If I'm offered $2000 per month, is that enough?". Apparently it is not enough. :lol:

Hmm.. Will my 2 years experience in IT can command a $3750 per month salary there? Can you do me a favor and ask your friends who work in IT there? :)I think that you have good enough experience to command a $3750 per month salary. I don't know though what sort of experience and skills you have so that I can pinpoint you to the right companies. My friend is working in networking, computer maintenance at JP Morgan. I'm not sure if that is the sort of job you have had experience and you're looking for.

[annieplx]

Hi! Anyone here on H1B visa? I need help...I got my H1B visa stamped, and my employer asked me sometime October for my schedule of going to US. My employer never told me anything about POEA clearance (or whatever it's called)...I do not have any idea as of yet what those things I have to process in POEA. Is this really necessary for H1B workers? Will it pose any trouble in NAIA, if I can't present any docs from POEA?? TIA.

[lowelluk]

Hi! Anyone here on H1B visa? I need help...I got my H1B visa stamped, and my employer asked me sometime October for my schedule of going to US. My employer never told me anything about POEA clearance (or whatever it's called)...I do not have any idea as of yet what those things I have to process in POEA. Is this really necessary for H1B workers? Will it pose any trouble in NAIA, if I can't present any docs from POEA?? TIA. Hi Tia, I advise that you might as well get a POEA clearance para sigurado. It will cost you a few hundred pesos pero at least wala nang question question sa NAIA. Also you will save yourself from paying travel tax kapag may POEA ID ka.

[greatgwapo99]

I think that you have good enough experience to command a $3750 per month salary. I don't know though what sort of experience and skills you have so that I can pinpoint you to the right companies. My friend is working in networking, computer maintenance at JP Morgan. I'm not sure if that is the sort of job you have had experience and you're looking for.

My skills are more into software development. I do hope you point me to other companies that are right for me. :) Thank you very much!

[chocoLatte12]

I am glad that I found this thread as I am also searching for information about working in the US as an IT engineer.

Regarding the IT immigrations websites, is there any good sites that you can recommend? There's just too many of them in the net and I dont know which one is reliable anymore.

To greatgwapo99, can I know how you applied? Is it through the net or through some agencies?

Thanks for all your replies

[more]

I think that you have good enough experience to command a $3750 per month salary. I don't know though what sort of experience and skills you have so that I can pinpoint you to the right companies. My friend is working in networking, computer maintenance at JP Morgan. I'm not sure if that is the sort of job you have had experience and you're looking for.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
if these are take home pay then maybe it's okay but if uncle sam will take his share then it's a different story.

[greatgwapo99]

I think that you have good enough experience to command a $3750 per month salary. I don't know though what sort of experience and skills you have so that I can pinpoint you to the right companies. My friend is working in networking, computer maintenance at JP Morgan. I'm not sure if that is the sort of job you have had experience and you're looking for.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
if these are take home pay then maybe it's okay but if uncle sam will take his share then it's a different story.


Hmm.. lowelluk told me that Uncle Sam will take away about 30% of my salary. If my gross salary is $3750, my take-home pay will be $2625. Then, deduct from that my everyday expense and rent to live well and comfortable (as lowelluk pointed out), which is $2200 (that is if you are in New York, which has the highest cost-of-living in the USA). I will be left with $425 savings per month. There will be more if I decide to scrimp and if I'm not going to New York or other states with high cost-of-living.

So, is $425 savings per month enough or not? To be honest, I'm having doubts if the employer will agree to a $4000 CTC. But if any of you thinks that demanding $4000 CTC per month is fair, then please let me know ASAP.


I am glad that I found this thread as I am also searching for information about working in the US as an IT engineer.

Regarding the IT immigrations websites, is there any good sites that you can recommend? There's just too many of them in the net and I dont know which one is reliable anymore.

To greatgwapo99, can I know how you applied? Is it through the net or through some agencies?

Thanks for all your replies

I did not apply for any US-based job opening. The employer just contacted me thru my email. I think they got my resume on either JobStreet or JobsDB, but I'm not really sure.

[rum]

Hi, I recently got an offer from a company in the US. They are willing to sponsor the processing of my H1B visa. However, they are asking for 160k bank guarantee for a bond of 1 year. This will be null and voided once I reach my 1 year stay with the company. Is this normal?

[Kolmogorov]

^sorry po for my ignorance pero ano po yung ibig sabihin ng 160K bank guarantee? Is that the same as the cost of your bond? Or show money ba yan. Thanks!

greatgwapo99, yung projection mo ba na monthly savings is $425? Mas malaki pa diyan ang maiipon mo kung sa Singapore ka mag work, but still, good luck! Hmm so may use talaga yang JobsDB at Jobstreet :D

lowelluk yung $600 na apartment ba eh furnished na ( or at least may ref kama at upuan)?

[piningercia]

usually ang apt ** may ref na pero u have to buy ur own bed at upuan.
i think iyong $600 na sinasabi nya kuarto lang especially NY pa kahit na nasa outskirt pa. medyo nakakaduda yang 160k bank guarantee. against the labor law yan **. for more info message nyo lang ako willing ako sabihin sa inyo ang alam ko since I started working here too under an H1B visa 12 yrs ago.

[dogi]

$3750 per month (gross) is too low. Salary here in the states depends on the prevailing rates of each states.

For a non-immigrant IT worker, aim at least $60,000/year.

lowelluk, thanks for the reply. :)

Actually, I had a typo error in my first post. It should be "If I'm offered $2000 per month, is that enough?". Apparently it is not enough. :lol:

Hmm.. Will my 2 years experience in IT can command a $3750 per month salary there? Can you do me a favor and ask your friends who work in IT there? :)

[Ice Burn]

$2000? :lol: Compute taxes (income and state tax), medicare, insurance not to mention you need to pay rent, utilities, transportation and your food cost. You'll be left with practically nothing.

Actually when I was still in the US (DC), they actually took out 33% of my salary. Ugh. I used to be tax free when I worked for a Multilateral organization but when I changed jobs, though the company offered me a higher salary but the deductions made my take home pay lower kaya bwiset.

[sd amboy]

$2000? :lol: Compute taxes (income and state tax), medicare, insurance not to mention you need to pay rent, utilities, transportation and your food cost. You'll be left with practically nothing.

Actually when I was still in the US (DC), they actually took out 33% of my salary. Ugh. I used to be tax free when I worked for a Multilateral organization but when I changed jobs, though the company offered me a higher salary but the deductions made my take home pay lower kaya bwiset.

DC is the coolest city on the east coast. Cost of lving here is comparable to southern california. In my opinion, you need to net at least $4000 a month to be comfortable. I recommend consulting......it pays a very handsome salary not to mention all the extra perks and allowances. :D *okay*

[Dunedain]

Any pexers here working in US?

How much is the cost of living in the US?
How much should an IT professional be asking for in the US?

I'm offered $2000 per month, is that enough?

US$2000 before or after taxes and other deductions? Gutom 'yan (unless you want to live with 99 cent meals). If you want to live above the proverty line, US$2000 AFTER taxes is fine (since you will be using that money to pay rent/food/utilities and other upcoming luho). Getting US$2000 AFTER taxes and AFTER bills is pretty much a very comfortable deal.

[froshie1]

Any pexers here working in US?

How much is the cost of living in the US?
How much should an IT professional be asking for in the US?

I'm offered $2000 per month, is that enough?

Sobrang baba nyan pre. Kikitain mo din yan dito.

[sd amboy]

US$2000 before or after taxes and other deductions? Gutom 'yan (unless you want to live with 99 cent meals). If you want to live above the proverty line, US$2000 AFTER taxes is fine (since you will be using that money to pay rent/food/utilities and other upcoming luho). Getting US$2000 AFTER taxes and AFTER bills is pretty much a very comfortable deal.

Kulang ang $2k upang mabuhay ng komportable. Wala kang maiipon at malamang mahigpit ang budget. Lahat ibabayad sa bills etc. :(

[Dunedain]

Kulang ang $2k upang mabuhay ng komportable. Wala kang maiipon at malamang mahigpit ang budget. Lahat ibabayad sa bills etc. :(

Depends on how much of a spender you are. That's why I also posted the "AFTER" parts. What? You leave your lights on all the time? You leave the water running 24/7? Dude, conserve resources. Life's simple pleasures like drinking tea as opposed to having a case of beer is more satisfying and relaxing.

[froshie1]

my point si Dunedain for as long as you will get $2k after taxes. syempre pards di ka naman masustuck dyan forever and I'm sure tataas yan at stepping stone mo pa lang yan. best deal pag $2k after taxes and bills, di mo kikitain ng mabilis yan dito sa Manila.

Iyong sinasabi ko sa itaas na pwede mong kitain sa Manila yang $2k ay before taxes at bills. hehehe.

[sd amboy]

Depends on how much of a spender you are. That's why I also posted the "AFTER" parts. What? You leave your lights on all the time? You leave the water running 24/7? Dude, conserve resources. Life's simple pleasures like drinking tea as opposed to having a case of beer is more satisfying and relaxing.

I'm actually quite practical. I invest the majority of my money but I definitely know how to enjoy my disposable income. Living paycheck to paycheck is not my idea of living comfortably and enjoying life. Just my two cents.

[Dunedain]

I'm actually quite practical. I invest the majority of my money but I definitely know how to enjoy my disposable income. Living paycheck to paycheck is not my idea of living comfortably and enjoying life. Just my two cents.

I used to live paycheck after paycheck. Nothing wrong with that. Literally, I started from the bottom and worked my way up. But when an employee becomes regular, their salaries get bumped up, they get 401k, and other regular benefits (ie. medical and dental). But it doesn't stay constant. Especially here in the US compared to Pinas. Eventually, if one simply works hard and becomes an asset in a company after so many years, benefits increase like getting stock options and profit sharing - and that's just for starters.

[rum]

^sorry po for my ignorance pero ano po yung ibig sabihin ng 160K bank guarantee? Is that the same as the cost of your bond? Or show money ba yan. Thanks!

It's a bond but instead of giving the money in cash to the company, bank guarantee na lang. They want to make sure you have 160k just in case you decide not to finish your 1 year. Bank guarantee will assures them that you have this sum of money.

Any similar experiences anyone?