❗Let's close the gap: We still need your help to raise $40,000 by April 1. Donate now

High-tech innovation in short supply

Dan Grech Dec 6, 2007

TEXT OF STORY

Scott Jagow: For the most part, the immigration debate has focused on low-skilled, illegal immigrants. But a study out today looks at a different group: skilled labor in the high-tech fields. From our America’s Desk at WLRN, Dan Grech reports.


Dan Grech: There’s a shortage of mathematicians and computer scientists in the United States.

In the past, U.S. companies filled the gap with skilled foreigners. But companies say visa quotas for high-skilled workers are too low to meet demand, and Congress hasn’t raised the cap. A new study concludes companies are getting around this by outsourcing operations.

Stuart Anderson directs the National Foundation for American Policy, author of the study:

Stuart Anderson: The current restrictions on highly-educated immigrants is leading more jobs and innovation to be moved outside the United States, when you have many highly-motivated people that would be happy to come here, study, and then work and create jobs and innovation inside the United States.

The study also finds the tech-worker shortage has led to big raises in recent years. Computer scientists now earn on average $96,000 a year.

I’m Dan Grech for Marketplace.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.