Looking at the numbers they give, they're probably talking about base pay without RSUs. Uber, like most tech companies, pays senior engineers proportionally higher quantities of stock than junior engineers, so they can fire low performers before their vesting cliff without losing as much money. The total pay for L5s on visas and for L5s in general is 50/50 cash and RSUs, while L3s are more like 30/70.

It's surprising that Ron Hira is questioning why the pay packages are close together. If he's studying the use of tech H1Bs he should know that their actual income will be much higher than the number written on the LCA.