When I came to the US I worked and earned $47/hr as a developer, I was employed as a consultant and had one client whom paid the consulting company $550/hr for my services. I worked over 40h/week but my pay was capped at 40h. I worked this job for 3 years. It was a bit of a sweat shop, but it worked out as after 3 years I was able to get a much better paid job.