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The study, called The Lure of the U.S. High Technology Job, was done by
Personnel Systems.
It concludes that "only family ties" are keeping software developers here in
Canada.
Here are a few interesting quotes:
"A high tech worker will achieve at least 18% more in disposable income
living in the U.S. as compared to Canada. A married Canadian worker moving
to the U.S., will gain at least 20% more in disposable income...
"According to this study, U.S. figures for disposable income are higher than
Canadian figures by approximately the same margin at all income levels
surveyed...
"For example; a Software Developer (3-5 years of experience, married with
one child), working in Vancouver earns, on average, $57,600 (C$), and pays
27% of that income in taxes. The same worker in Seattle earns $55,000 in
income (U.S.$) and pays only 10% of that income in taxes. To take this
scenario further, after paying for a car, a mortgage on a home in the metro
area, health care, and a basic package of consumable goods, the Software
Developer in Seattle has 28.2% left to spend on disposable goods. In
contrast, the Software Developer living in Vancouver is not able to support
their family at the same level of comfort, as their disposable income is
negative."
Note: For the study's purposes, married developers are assumed to be
homeowners with a stay-at-home spouse and a child. The single developers are
assumed to be renters.
