America is proud to be created by the hands of expatriates. Until now, the main source of population growth in the United States is immigration through employment with subsequent family reunification. California is one of the most economically developed states. The City of Angels, as Los Angeles is called, is extremely attractive for migrants from all over the world. There is a strong belief among them that there is a high-paying job in Los Angeles for everyone. And this is true, because in 2021 the Californian economy bypassed the British with a share in the national GDP of over 12%.
Benefits of working for L.A.
California law encourages the influx of labor migrants. Recently passed bill 54 barred federal authorities from arresting migrants in courts, schools, and health care facilities throughout the state. Here, like in no other corner of the United States, highly skilled work is available, and employment statistics indicate a shortage of labor: about 100 thousand job vacancies are open in March 2021.
Los Angeles is turning into a refuge for immigrants, for which the local authorities are mercilessly criticized by the US President. California is home to an estimated 2.3 million illegal immigrants. Although, considering the merits of employment in Los Angeles, one should start with an assessment of living and working conditions in general.
Yes, a wonderful climate, good medical care, retraining opportunities and a high standard of living. But there are problems with transport links, and the cost of housing is higher than in many other cities.
On the other hand, work in Hollywood or in the equally famous Silicon Valley is available here. And the disadvantages and difficulties of employment typical for the whole country are more than compensated by the level of salaries at the high-tech enterprises presented here, as well as in the well-developed spheres of service, education and medicine.
What specialties are in demand
Of course, we are primarily interested in jobs in Los Angeles for Russians. The Russian-speaking community in California is not as large as we would like, so it is not easy to get a job without knowing English.
Nevertheless, in some areas, it is Russian-speaking specialists who are in demand:
- sales consultant, customer service, salesperson;
- insurance agent;
- programmer;
- nurse, nurse, nanny;
- Russian language tutor, teacher;
- Cook;
- masseur;
- hairdresser, manicurist;
- driver;
- Auto Mechanic;
- loader;
- waiter, bartender;
- Russian-speaking assistant to a businessman, lawyer, doctor.
The most in-demand professions in Los Angeles cover the broadest layer of the economy, social and cultural life. As a rule, the lack of workers is acutely felt in the following industries:
- Medicine.
- Mechanical engineering, engineering.
- Logistics, transport.
- Programming.
- Ecology.
- Finance.
- Education.
- Construction.
It should be noted that the city has a lot of "Russian" outlets, catering establishments, newspapers, magazines. So every Russian has a chance to find a job even on his own, be it a man or a woman.
Working conditions and requirements for the applicant
Foreigners go to the States not only because of the love of democracy and the ability to realize their own ambitions. Most migrants are guided by working conditions and wages. And here they are:
- working day ─ 8 hours;
- guaranteed vacation ─ at least 10 days a year;
- the cost of a working hour is $ 14.25 and $ 13.25 per hour, depending on the number of employees;
- 12 weeks of maternity leave with 80% pay.
The legislation does not restrict employers in determining the work schedule and duration of vacations. Everything is decided by the contract and the interview. The summary and recommendations are of great importance.
Working without knowing the language in Los Angeles is a real challenge, but the choices will be limited. Work on weekends and holidays is common here, but the pay will be one and a half to two times higher than usual.
Earnings are usually paid weekly. Accommodation is rarely considered, except for working on the farm. You will have to look for a place to live yourself and pay from your own pocket.
Professional skills, experience, education, neatness, politeness, communication skills and corporate thinking are valued. You can't get a good job without legalizing your diploma and retraining.
For example, a driver must pass an exam to obtain an American license. An insurance agent, doctor, lawyer needs a license.
But this is not the case with all professions. The seller, barista, waiter do not even need work experience, they would have knowledge of the language. And the pool cleaner, lawnmower, janitor, housekeeper, pizza or mail delivery man doesn't even need to know English.
For a nanny, intelligence and pedagogical education are important, and for a nurse, medical education and work experience of at least 5 years. It is easier for an IT specialist to get a job if he demonstrates skills, and not just a diploma.
Job search
By and large, you first need to find a job in Los Angeles, then agree with the employer on the conditions, get a visa, permission, and then you can move even for permanent residence.
The first task is solved in different ways. Someone finds work on the advice of friends, acquaintances, relatives, reviews of other Russians, others go to the country on a tourist visa and look for themselves.
On site, you can use any resource: print, digital, television, or search in a comprehensive manner. Including try to meet with HR-managers of companies of interest.
What is required for employment
Official employment requires a US work visa. It can be of several types.
To apply for a visa, you first need an appropriate petition approved by the Citizenship and Immigration Service. The Form I-129 petition must be approved prior to applying for a work visa at the US Embassy or Consulate.
Further, you will need a diploma of education recognized in the States, confirmed work experience in the specialty, as well as:
- valid international passport;
- Electronic application form DS-160;
- medical certificate;
- certificate of good conduct;
- labor contract;
- confirmation of payment of the consular fee: 160 or 190 dollars depending on the type of visa.
Before the interview at the embassy, you will have to go through a fingerprint. The application is submitted no earlier than 90 days before the planned trip. In practice, a visa is issued within 2-4 months.
Firms and recruiting agencies
The easiest way is to organize a job search on the Internet. There are only a few sites offering work:
- Monster is the largest job search engine, processing approximately 8,000 requests per minute and storing over 150 million resumes. In the United States, it is one of the three leaders.
- Craigslist is one of the most popular sites among Americans, including those of Russian origin.
- Indeed is considered one of the best in the world. More than 180 million people from 50 countries visit the resource per month.
- CareerBuilder is one of the top three in the United States with over 24 million monthly visitors. Most of the Fortune 1000 companies, the prestigious list of the best in the States, are represented here.
- Careerjet is a search engine that provides access to jobs posted on thousands of resources around the world.
- HelpDetected is a specialized portal for Russian speakers. Registration is not required to search, you can upload your resume for free.
- Rusrek - the site is suitable for illegal immigrants and employers looking for workers who agree to any conditions.
If not all is well with the English language, you can search on the international labor exchange or the Russian Club's bulletin board, as well as on Facebook.
You can get a guaranteed job if you go to the States on the Work and Travel exchange program. During the summer holidays, students can live and work in America for up to 5 months.
The 12-month renewable Au-Pair program allows for simple household chores or childcare. A private room, insurance, one day off a week, two weeks of paid vacation and a small income are guaranteed (up to $ 800 per month). The possibility of attending language courses and traveling with a host family is provided.
It is considered quite normal to contact a recruiting agency. It's easy to find contact details in the Employment section of the workbook or the web version of the Yellow Pages. For those included in the base of the agency, the chances of getting an interesting offer increase.
Salary
At the beginning of 2021, the average salary in Los Angeles is $ 25 per hour, $ 200 per day, or $ 4,000 per month. The indicator is influenced by the position and place of work.
The bulk of the population is employed in the field of leisure and culture: cinema, music, TV, art, design, where salaries are ambiguous, but traditionally high.
Heads of large companies, auditors, lawyers, financiers, programmers, surgeons and dentists with a work experience of 5 years or more receive about $ 10 thousand.
The salary of highly qualified specialists ranges from $ 5-7 thousand. This category includes:
- civil servants;
- engineers;
- lawyers;
- doctors;
- workers of large factories;
- builders;
- middle managers.
Los Angeles minimum wage by hour is above the national average:
- for enterprises with up to 25 employees - $ 13.25 / hour;
- with a staff of 25 people ─ $ 14.25 / hour.
The lowest level of income is among unskilled workers who receive the minimum established by the state:
- janitor, gardener, nanny, waiter, maid ─ $ 2,000-2,200 per month;
- real estate agent, secretary, hairdresser, courier, plumber, graphic designer, teacher ─ about $ 3,000-3,500.
Taxation
No one is exempt from the obligation to pay taxes in Los Angeles. However, a significant part of payments is returned after filing a declaration.
The American tax system operates at several levels: federal, state, and local (city / county). Federal taxes are the same for the whole country, the rest are set by the local government, and the process is controlled by the US Internal Revenue Service (the site supports Russian).
Income tax is paid on salaries, commissions, royalties, dividends, winnings, tips, and even unemployment benefits. In California, its value varies from 1 to 13.3%.
Taxes withheld by law by employers include federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare.
Real estate taxes, sales taxes, social security taxes are paid by both employers and employees.
The average property tax rate is 0.74%.
There are also a huge number of taxes and fees for services: getting a driver's license, parking, starting a business.
Cost of living
The high standard of living in Los Angeles predetermines the high cost of housing. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the center starts from $ 2,000 per month, on the outskirts ─ from $ 1,500. For each additional bedroom, you will have to shell out about $ 600-700.
Utilities start at $ 100 and up. If you are considering buying non-luxury real estate, you can focus on the cost per square meter in the range of $ 4.5-7 thousand.
Food prices in Los Angeles are higher than in Moscow. Public transport is more expensive, while fuel for cars, on the other hand, is less.
Clothes, footwear, perfumes and consumer electronics are noticeably cheaper here. A place in a kindergarten will cost about $ 900-1000. Mobile communications, home Internet will add another $ 100 to expenses. A gym membership costs around $ 40-50.
Illegal work
Punishment for illegal employment can permanently discourage people from doing such things. The worst thing that threatens is deportation:
- for work without an official permit for 6-12 months with a deprivation of the right to enter for three years;
- when working for more than a year ─ without entry for 10 years.
The illegal is practically deprived of all rights: he cannot open a bank account, receive an SSN (social insurance number), buy real estate, arrange a child in a kindergarten or school.
Non-payment of wages is also possible.
Own business
It is easier to open a business in the USA than in many countries. Your own business allows you to legalize in the country and apply for citizenship in five years. This will require:
- Registration of a business visa L-1.
- Registration of a license or permit.
- Payment of the state fee (approximately $ 1,000).
- Opening a bank account.
- Providing workers with a minimum wage.
- Registration of the company.
- Obtaining a tax TIN.
The most promising areas:
- film industry;
- mass media;
- cargo transportation;
- recruiting agencies;
- repair, maintenance of residential premises;
- security companies;
- hotel business;
- transport services (taxi);
- Sport halls;
- cosmetology clinics, beauty salons;
- HUNDRED.
Conclusions
A good specialist with extensive experience and knowledge of English always has a good chance of getting a work visa in the United States and quickly settling in a country of great opportunities. Without the proper qualifications, work experience and knowledge, you can count on low-paid and low-prestige jobs by American standards.
If everything is done correctly, it is possible to get a visa. Diaspora can provide assistance in finding employment, even in finding housing.
