A recent report from Deel, a global HR and payroll company, reveals that the U.S. has the second-highest number of tech workers working abroad, falling behind India and ahead of Britain. American tech workers are being hired and relocating to countries like Great Britain, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, and Spain, with a focus on software development, product, and operations roles.
According to Masha Sutherlin, head of immigration at Deel, international companies are eager to hire U.S. tech talent due to their innovative spirit and expertise gained from acclaimed universities, startups, and industry-shaping companies like Google. The desire to import best practices and help with international expansion efforts is driving the trend of hiring American tech workers abroad.
Factors such as less drastic tech layoffs in global markets compared to the U.S., major political events, and the growing digital nomad lifestyle are motivating tech workers to seek opportunities outside the country. While elite salaries may not be guaranteed abroad, lifestyle factors like walkable cities and lower cost of living appeal to many U.S. workers.
On the flip side, the U.S. remains a sought-after destination for expat tech workers, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and technical professionals. The demand for American workers in global companies extends beyond tech roles, with a 62% increase in American workers hired by international companies last year, according to Deel's global hiring report.
As the global job market continues to evolve, opportunities for American tech workers to work abroad or for international workers to come to the U.S. are on the rise. Whether motivated by career advancement, lifestyle factors, or seeking new experiences, the trend of tech migration is likely to continue shaping the future of the industry.