Rs 9,500 for 20 minutes to fix a door: Indian woman in US gives reality check on skilled workers’ earnings

An Indian woman based in the United States recently highlighted the cost of everyday services abroad, showing how even minor repairs can be expensive, but also meaningful in terms of skill value.

$100 for 20 Minutes of Work

In an Instagram post, Amrita Singh shared that she paid $100 (around ₹9,500) to fix a small issue with her garage door.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amrita Singh📍America 🇺🇸 (@amrita_life_in_usa)

She explained that the mechanic charged this amount for just 20 minutes of work. However, she clarified that the price wasn’t surprising, as such professionals often charge around $100 simply for a visit.

Not a Complaint, But a Perspective

Amrita made it clear that she wasn’t complaining about the cost. Instead, she described it as a “reality check” about how skilled labor is valued in countries like the US.

Also Read: Era of software and MBA is over; time to respect welders, plumbers and electricians: Chief Economic Advisor Nageswaran

Value of Skills Over Degrees

In the video, she emphasized an important point: "Whether you have a degree or not, if you have a skill, you can live a good life," she said in the video.

She further highlighted how skilled workers are treated in the US: "What I find most interesting here is that whether they're plumbers, electricians, or garage door technicians, skilled workers earn well, own big cars, and pay reasonable taxes," she wrote as the caption of the video.

"In America, there's no small or big job. Skills bring respect and earnings."

Social Media Reactions

One user suggested expanding the topic: "You should also make videos about healthcare costs, treatments, procedures, and consulting a specialist," one user asked her to share more videos about living in the US.

Another user added a practical perspective: "It also depends on how often they get the customers; they are contractors," another user wrote.

A few days ago Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has called for a shift in India's approach to employment and education, saying the era that favoured software jobs and MBA degrees is coming to an end and that the country must place greater value on trade skills such as welding, plumbing, electrical work and carpentry.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Instagram. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.