In my anecdotal experience, the business axes a position and downgrades responsibilities to a lower title. So what a Sr. DBA did before would go to a regular DBA or even a Jr. DBA. It doesn't matter what the prevailing wage for a title is when responsibilities are loosely coupled.
I think the best way to counter the abuse is to increase the premium ($100k+) and allow H1Bs to move between companies.
> So what a Sr. DBA did before would go to a regular DBA or even a Jr. DBA.
GP was asserting that it is cheaper to hire H1Bs than entry-level grads, which isn't the same thing as what you're describing.
> I think the best way to counter the abuse is to increase the premium ($100k+) and allow H1Bs to move between companies.
I agree re: increasing the minimum to ~$90-100k. Maybe apply a CoL based multiplier so it's $85k in, for instance, Tulsa but $135-145k in the Bay Area.
H1Bs are already allowed to move between companies. But the new company has to apply for a fresh visa, without going through the lottery, and it takes a few weeks, which is a hassle. Plus there's a risk of being denied or going into RFE. I think that rule could be tweaked to allow movement without approval if the offered salary in the new role is higher by a certain minimum percentage (like say 10% increase).
I think the best way to counter the abuse is to increase the premium ($100k+) and allow H1Bs to move between companies.