US citizen here, curious. I read both posts. Is this normal, paying $20/hr for even a junior web developer because they live in South Asia? That’s a laughably low rate for someone based in the US, where people who can barely write Javascript are getting $100k+ offers. I pay more than $20/hr over Upwork — if I see someone asking for such a low rate I assume they are kids or hobbyists, not serious developers.

I’m not asking you to justify your salary. I’m asking if this is normal — this kind of large disparity based on location and nationality.

I freelance for a living and have lived overseas while working for US companies and none have ever suggested paying me less because I lived in a low cost-of-living country. Other freelancers I know, including many who are not US citizens, are getting good rates too when working for US companies.

Ideally you get paid according to the value you bring to the company. Period. Where you live or what passport you have shouldn’t make any difference. An offer like this communicates either exploitation or that the company doesn’t see you as very valuable. Why even take the time to interview someone at this rate? Just hire and see what happens, the stakes are so low.