A LinkedIn post about choosing between a higher salary in India and a lower-paying job in the US has sparked a debate on compensation, work culture and work-life balance. The post claimed that a professional turned down a Rs 2 crore offer in India and opted for a $160,000 opportunity in the US, citing personal time and boundaries as key factors behind the decision.
The experience was shared by Dubai-based AI leader CJ Teja Sai, who wrote about his US-based friend’s choice and the factors that influenced the decision despite concerns over visa uncertainty.
Professional prioritised personal time over higher salary
According to Sai's post , his friend evaluated the two offers by looking beyond the salary figures and decided to continue working in the US.
"In the US, I log off at 5 PM. In India, I'd be expected to be available 24/7," the professional was quoted as saying.
Sai added that his friend was comfortable with the uncertainty associated with visas because having predictable personal time was more important to him.
3 AM meeting incident highlights work culture concerns
Sai also shared an example involving his uncle’s friend, an engineering manager in India who worked closely with US teams.
According to the post, the manager resigned after a late-night meeting scheduled at 3 am India time was extended far beyond its planned duration. The meeting, initially described as a 15-minute call, continued until around 6 am.
Sai said the incident was not an isolated case but reflected the pressure of being constantly available, which eventually led the manager to quit.
LinkedIn users debate salary, lifestyle and workplace expectations
Sai said the discussion made him realise that comparisons between job offers across countries often focus on salary and taxes, while factors such as time, personal boundaries and the ability to disconnect are also important.
"Compensation isn't just what gets credited to your bank account. It's also the life you get to live outside of work," the post said.
The post received mixed reactions from LinkedIn users. While some supported the decision, arguing that the US could offer a better lifestyle and career opportunities despite a lower salary, others questioned whether work-life balance was significantly better there.
Some users said long working hours exist in both countries, while others pointed out that daily responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning and household chores in the US could offset the extra personal time gained from workplace boundaries.
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