Top 10 Government and Public Sector Employers Hiring OPT Students
The top 10 government and public sector employers hiring OPT students include State of New Mexico, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and State of Washington, spanning state and local government agencies, public school districts, and public health and education institutions. Migrate Mate is tracking 978 live OPT jobs across these employers as of August 26, 2026, updated daily. Roles at government and public sector employers are open to F-1 students on OPT without any employer filing requirement, as long as the position relates to the student's field of study.
Which government and public sector employers hire the most OPT students?
Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily
- 01
State of New Mexico
State GovernmentPublic PolicyAdministrationState of New Mexico has 249 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any government and public sector employer on this list. Its openings concentrate in Mental & Behavioral Health and Allied Health. New Mexico state government administers public services across health, transportation, education, and natural resources.
Open roles by team
- Mental & Behavioral Health116
- Allied Health97
- Healthcare Administration95
- Human Resources81
- Compliance & Legal70
+482 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of New Mexico249 openSee all 249+ State of New Mexico OPT jobsApplyLead Human Resources GeneralistSanta Fe, New Mexico · On-siteApplyOffice ManagerSanta Fe, New Mexico · On-siteApplyPreK SpecialistRoswell, New Mexico · On-siteApplySenior Financial AnalystSanta Fe, New Mexico · On-siteApplyPresumptive Eligibility Healthcare Program SupervisorSanta Fe, New Mexico · On-site - 02
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Public HealthSocial ServicesState AgencyTexas Health and Human Services Commission has 236 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission delivers health and social services programs to millions of Texans.
Open roles by team
- Nursing131
- Healthcare Administration110
- Compliance & Legal99
- Project & Program Management76
- Business Analysis62
+454 roles across other teams
Open roles at Texas Health and Human Services Commission236 openSee all 236+ Texas Health and Human Services Commission OPT jobsApplyLTCR InspectorLongview, Texas · On-siteApplyReimbursement Analyst VAustin, Texas · On-siteApplyCompetency Restoration Services CoordinatorAustin, Texas · On-siteApplyReimbursement Analyst IAustin, Texas · On-siteApplyFinancial Analyst IIIAustin, Texas · On-site - 03
State of Washington
State GovernmentPublic ServicesPolicyState of Washington has 111 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Project & Program Management. Washington state government oversees public programs spanning environment, transportation, social services, and technology.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal51
- Project & Program Management42
- Healthcare Administration38
- Mental & Behavioral Health36
- Allied Health29
+219 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Washington111 openSee all 111+ State of Washington OPT jobsApplySocial Service Specialist 2Spokane Valley, Washington · On-siteApplyBenefits and Customer Care SupervisorWashington · HybridApplyQuality Assurance SupervisorOlympia, Washington · HybridApplyPublic Benefits Specialist 4Spokane Valley, Washington · On-siteApplyIT Business AnalystOlympia, Washington · Hybrid Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 1,700+ OPT jobs- 04
Baltimore City Public Schools
K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsAdministrationBaltimore City Public Schools has 79 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Teaching & Instruction and Allied Health. Baltimore City Public Schools operates the K-12 public school district serving students across Baltimore, Maryland.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction147
- Allied Health6
- Healthcare Administration6
- Mental & Behavioral Health5
- Physical & Occupational Therapy4
+8 roles across other teams
Open roles at Baltimore City Public Schools79 openSee all 79+ Baltimore City Public Schools OPT jobsApplyTeacher Vocational - Construction Trades Pathway - PlumbingBaltimore, Maryland · On-siteApplyTeacher Vocational - Nursing AssistantBaltimore, Maryland · On-siteApplyTeacher Physical EducationBaltimore, Maryland · On-siteApplyTeacher Special EducationBaltimore, Maryland · On-siteApplyTeacher Vocational- Construction Trades Pathway- CarpentryBaltimore, Maryland · On-site - 05
State of Wyoming
State GovernmentEnergy PolicyAdministrationState of Wyoming has 63 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Project & Program Management. Wyoming state government administers public services across energy, agriculture, transportation, and workforce development.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal26
- Project & Program Management21
- Manufacturing Operations14
- Science & Research13
- Construction11
+131 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Wyoming63 openSee all 63+ State of Wyoming OPT jobsApplyAccounting AnalystCheyenne, Wyoming · On-siteApplyHeavy MechanicRawlins, Wyoming · On-siteApplyClinical PsychiatristEvanston, Wyoming · On-siteApplyHighway Maintenance Supervisor IWyoming · On-siteApplyAccountantCheyenne, Wyoming · On-site - Editor’s note
How this list is ranked
These employers are ranked by how many roles open to OPT candidates they have live on Migrate Mate right now. OPT is your own work authorization rather than something the employer files, so the practical question is whether the role fits your field of study and whether the team has hired people on OPT before.
- 06
Sedgwick
Claims ManagementRisk ServicesAdministrationSedgwick has 57 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Customer Service & Support and Nursing. Sedgwick provides claims management, risk, and benefits administration services to government and employer clients.
Open roles by team
- Customer Service & Support35
- Nursing20
- Compliance & Legal14
- Human Resources14
- Healthcare Administration10
+45 roles across other teams
Open roles at Sedgwick57 openSee all 57+ Sedgwick OPT jobsApplyAbsence Management Team LeadEden Prairie, Minnesota · On-siteApplyTalent Acquisition SpecialistArizona · HybridApplyField Case ManagerDetroit, Michigan · HybridApplyRN Utilization ReviewTennessee · RemoteApplyBenefits LiaisonDublin, Ohio · On-site - 07
Boston Public Health Commission
Public HealthCity AgencyHealth ServicesBoston Public Health Commission has 50 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Healthcare Administration and Mental & Behavioral Health. The Boston Public Health Commission is the city's independent public health authority serving Boston residents.
Open roles by team
- Healthcare Administration28
- Mental & Behavioral Health27
- Science & Research24
- Project & Program Management23
- Allied Health19
+84 roles across other teams
Open roles at Boston Public Health Commission50 openSee all 50+ Boston Public Health Commission OPT jobsApplySenior Program ManagerBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyTraining ManagerBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyCommunications AssociateBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyCounselorMattapan, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyAdmissions ManagerMattapan, Massachusetts · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 1,700+ OPT jobs- 08
State of Arkansas
State GovernmentPublic ServicesPolicyState of Arkansas has 47 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Allied Health and Mental & Behavioral Health. Arkansas state government provides public services in health, education, infrastructure, and economic development.
Open roles by team
- Allied Health15
- Mental & Behavioral Health15
- Compliance & Legal13
- Project & Program Management11
- Finance10
+81 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Arkansas47 openSee all 47+ State of Arkansas OPT jobsApplyPROGRAM ELIGIBILITY SUPERVISOR/EXPERTBatesville, Arkansas · On-siteApplySTATE PERSONNEL ANALYSTLittle Rock, Arkansas · On-siteApplyFiscal Support CoordinatorLittle Rock, Arkansas · On-siteApplyAttorney IILittle Rock, Arkansas · On-siteApplySOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALISTParagould, Arkansas · On-site - 09
State of Vermont
State GovernmentPublic AdministrationPolicyState of Vermont has 45 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Teaching & Instruction and Human Resources. Vermont state government manages public programs in health, education, environmental conservation, and economic development.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction19
- Human Resources15
- Compliance & Legal13
- Project & Program Management11
- Civil & Structural Engineering10
+102 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Vermont45 openSee all 45+ State of Vermont OPT jobsApplyAdministrative Services Manager IIBerlin, Vermont · On-siteApplyFamily Case ManagerNewport, Vermont · On-siteApplyAdministrative Services Director IVMontpelier, Vermont · HybridApplyGMCB Data Program Deputy DirectorMontpelier, Vermont · HybridApplyReach Up Case ManagerBrattleboro, Vermont · On-site - 10
City and County of San Francisco
Municipal GovernmentPublic ServicesAdministrationCity and County of San Francisco has 41 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Project & Program Management and Human Resources. San Francisco's combined city and county government delivers public services across health, housing, transportation, and justice.
Open roles by team
- Project & Program Management27
- Human Resources16
- Compliance & Legal14
- Business Analysis11
- Customer Service & Support7
+73 roles across other teams
Open roles at City and County of San Francisco41 openSee all 41+ City and County of San Francisco OPT jobsApplyVictim/Witness AdvocateSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyPrograms and Operations ManagerSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyPretrial Specialist IISan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyEmployee Relations RepresentativeSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyClassification and Compensation AnalystSan Francisco, California · On-site
How OPT works
OPT is work authorization for F-1 students, not an employer-sponsored visa. The student applies through their school's international office (the DSO) and USCIS with Form I-765; the employer files nothing. The role must relate to the student's field of study. OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible degrees.
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Find 1,700+ OPT jobsGovernment and Public Sector OPT Employers: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies hire the most OPT students?
State of New Mexico has the most, with 249 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (236) and State of Washington (111). Across the 10 government and public sector employers on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 978 live OPT jobs, updated daily.
Who is eligible for OPT?
F-1 students who have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program-approved school are eligible for OPT. Work must be directly related to the student's field of study. Standard OPT provides 12 months of work authorization, and F-1 students who graduated with a qualifying STEM degree may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension through their designated school official and USCIS.
How much does F-1 OPT cost?
F-1 OPT is student work authorization, so there is no employer sponsorship fee. The student pays the USCIS filing fee for the work-authorization application, plus any costs their school charges. Fee amounts change from time to time, so check the current figure before you rely on it.
How do I get OPT through a top employer?
OPT is obtained by the student, not the employer. You work with your designated school official to request a new I-20 endorsed for OPT, then file Form I-765 with USCIS to receive your Employment Authorization Document. The employer does not file anything. Once USCIS approves your application and you receive your EAD, you may begin working for any employer whose role relates to your field of study, including government agencies, public universities, and public sector organizations.