Amazon Engineer Explains Why She Would Choose US $200,000 Job Over ₹40 LPA In India

The debate over whether Indian professionals should pursue careers abroad or stay back for high-paying jobs at home has reignited after an Amazon engineer shared why she would still choose a $200,000 role in the United States. ₹40 lakhs per annum package in India.

In an interview with content creator Umang Chaudhary, Harika Satti, an India-born Amazon machine learning engineer II, said the decision was driven by career growth rather than financial reasons.

When asked if she would choose a salary of $200,000 in the US or ₹40 lakh a year in India, Satti said the answer depended on what was being compared.

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“I would say just in terms of money when you’re talking, just in terms of finances, I would say 40 lakhs in India because you can live your life a lot more, you know, I think it would be a lot more luxurious,” she said.

“Exposure and technology make the difference”

Despite acknowledging that a higher standard of living may be possible in India for that salary, Satti said the opportunities available in the US ultimately outweighed the financial benefits.

“But if I compare the overall things like the exposure, the ability to work on the latest techniques – so companies have a lot of money here. That way I have a lot of computing resources, like good data, and also I think I can work on these latest technologies and everything, I would choose the US,” she added.

Speaking about her current role at Amazon in Seattle, Satti also explained the compensation structure for Machine Learning Engineer II positions.

“Generally for an MLE II, the base is anywhere from $150,000 to $200,000, and you get some bonuses and stock as well,” she said.

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“Moving to the USA paid off 200%”

When asked if relocating to the US was the right decision, Satti answered without hesitation: “200%. Yes.”

Reflecting on the move, she said it fundamentally changed the way she approached her career.

“I don’t know, I just feel like I’m a completely different person after my bachelor’s in India. Like I mentioned before, it was all about just getting a job, just settling down, just getting a good salary,” she said.

“But I’m really passionate about my work here. I really look forward to every day, not just the weekends, because I really love what I do. I’m more passionate, I’m more ambitious, and this whole mindset really makes me happy and satisfied.”

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How much do they spend in Seattle?

Satti also shared how she manages her finances while living in Seattle.

According to her, around 15% of her after-tax income goes to rent, with another 10% covering expenses such as food and travel.

She said she spends about 5% of her income on a car, but suggested that newcomers to Seattle could avoid the expense altogether.

“About 5% per car. But you don’t really need a car in Seattle, so if you’re moving to Seattle, just don’t buy a car,” she said.

With her expenses under control, Satti said she is able to save a significant portion of her income.

“I’m able to save, I’d say, around 60 to 65% of my income,” she concluded.