Trump Effect: US-Based Indian Techies Returning to India Face Salary Cuts
What Happened?
Many Indian tech professionals are returning from the US due to immigration issues and layoffs, but they face significant salary cuts and challenges in finding comparable roles in India.
Key points
- In 2026, 12,900 Indian tech professionals have returned from the US.
- In 2025, 15,100 techies returned, while 21,200 moved to the US.
- Salary packages for returnees in India range from $20,000 to $32,000.
- The average annual pay for a Full Stack engineer in the US is $105,000.
- Returnees are facing challenges in negotiating salaries that reflect their US experience.
- Companies in India are increasingly looking for specialized skills over international experience.
Key insights
- The influx of returnees may enhance India's tech sector by introducing new skills and experiences.
- Returnees with moderated salary expectations may have better job prospects in India.
- The competition for mid and senior-level positions in India will intensify due to returning professionals.
Why it matters
The trend of returning techies could reshape India's technology landscape and increase competition for local talent.
Source
Times of India



