Archive · 14 Jan 2026
US Edtech Founder Highlights Cost Disparity in Offshore Hiring
A US edtech founder named Hany Girgis shared his thoughts on why many companies prefer to hire workers from India instead of the US.
He explained that engineers in the US earn a lot more money than those in India.
For example, a US engineer makes between $110,000 and $160,000 a year, while an engineer in India makes between $18,000 and $35,000.
This big difference in salaries makes it much cheaper for companies to hire from India.
When you add up all the costs like benefits, taxes, and office space, hiring in the US can cost between $150,000 and $220,000 per year, while hiring in India costs between $22,000 and $40,000.
Girgis also talked about how outsourcing firms in India charge less per hour for the same work.
He believes that without stronger policies, companies will continue to choose cheaper offshore labor over hiring Americans.
US engineers earn $110K–$160K annually, while Indian engineers earn $18K–$35K.
Fully loaded cost of a US employee is $150K–$220K annually, compared to $22K–$40K for offshore employees in India.
Outsourcing firms in India charge $22–$38 per hour, while US-based equivalents charge $85–$150 per hour.
H-1B and OPT visa workers are cheaper than US workers but more expensive than offshore labor.
Girgis argues that without policy intervention, companies will continue to prefer offshore hiring due to significant cost savings.
- Who
- Hany Girgis, US edtech founder
- What
- Discussion on cost disparities in offshore hiring
- When
- January 13, 2026
- Where
- United States and India
- Why
- To highlight the economic factors driving outsourcing
- US Engineer Salary
- $110K–$160K annually
- Indian Engineer Salary
- $18K–$35K annually
- Fully Loaded US Employee Cost
- $150K–$220K annually
- Fully Loaded Offshore Employee Cost
- $22K–$40K annually
- Outsourcing Firm Pricing (India)
- $22–$38 per hour
- US-Based Equivalent Pricing
- $85–$150 per hour
- H-1B/OPT Worker Cost
- Between US and offshore costs