Top 10 Government and Public Sector Employers Hiring OPT Students
The top 10 government and public sector employers hiring OPT students include Texas Health and Human Services Commission, State of New Mexico, and State of Washington, spanning state and local government agencies, public school districts, and public health and education institutions. Migrate Mate is tracking 953 live OPT jobs across these employers as of October 22, 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
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Public HealthSocial ServicesState AgencyTexas Health and Human Services Commission has 217 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any government and public sector employer on this list. 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
- Nursing116
- Healthcare Administration108
- Compliance & Legal88
- Project & Program Management76
- Business Analysis51
+381 roles across other teams
Open roles at Texas Health and Human Services Commission217 openSee all 217+ Texas Health and Human Services Commission OPT jobsApplyRegistered Therapist IIAustin, Texas · On-siteApplyNurse IISan Antonio, Texas · On-siteApplyQIDP SurveyorBeaumont, Texas · On-siteApplyNurse III PNMT RNMexia, Texas · On-siteApplyMental Health Specialist VRusk, Texas · On-site - 02
State of New Mexico
State GovernmentPublic PolicyAdministrationState of New Mexico has 192 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. 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 Health90
- Allied Health79
- Compliance & Legal73
- Healthcare Administration73
- Human Resources43
+383 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of New Mexico192 openSee all 192+ State of New Mexico OPT jobsApplyCPS Case WorkerRuidoso Downs, New Mexico · On-siteApplyCare and Behavior Support SpecialistRoswell, New Mexico · On-siteApplySenior IT Network AdministratorAlbuquerque, New Mexico · On-siteApplySpecialized Behavioral Health Services Program ManagerSanta Fe, New Mexico · On-siteApplySenior AccountantSanta Fe, New Mexico · On-site - 03
State of Washington
State GovernmentPublic ServicesPolicyState of Washington has 127 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Project & Program Management and Mental & Behavioral Health. Washington state government oversees public programs spanning environment, transportation, social services, and technology.
Open roles by team
- Project & Program Management56
- Mental & Behavioral Health37
- Healthcare Administration35
- Human Resources33
- Compliance & Legal31
+301 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Washington127 openSee all 127+ State of Washington OPT jobsApplyWetland Permitting SpecialistOlympia, Washington · HybridApplyEnvironmental Specialist 2Lacey, Washington · HybridApplyEmployment Specialist Team LeadPullman, Washington · HybridApplyRehabilitation Technician 1Spokane, Washington · On-siteApplyCommunity Corrections Officer 2Seattle, Washington · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 1,600+ OPT jobs- 04
State of Missouri
State GovernmentPublic ServicesPolicyState of Missouri has 110 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Finance. Missouri state government delivers public services across health, transportation, education, and economic development.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal43
- Finance23
- Accounting23
- Project & Program Management23
- Allied Health21
+246 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Missouri110 openSee all 110+ State of Missouri OPT jobsApplySenior Rehabilitation SpecialistSt. Louis, Missouri · On-siteApplyEconomistJefferson City, Missouri · On-siteApplyEnvironmental Program Assistant/AnalystMacon, Missouri · On-siteApplyBenefit Program Senior SpecialistJefferson City, Missouri · On-siteApplyAdministrative Support ProfessionalJefferson City, Missouri · On-site - 05
Baltimore City Public Schools
K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsAdministrationBaltimore City Public Schools has 73 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 & Instruction136
- Allied Health6
- Healthcare Administration6
- Mental & Behavioral Health5
- Physical & Occupational Therapy4
+6 roles across other teams
Open roles at Baltimore City Public Schools73 openSee all 73+ 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 Physics, SecondaryBaltimore, Maryland · 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 53 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 & Support32
- Nursing22
- Human Resources15
- Compliance & Legal12
- Healthcare Administration10
+52 roles across other teams
Open roles at Sedgwick53 openSee all 53+ Sedgwick OPT jobsApplyCare Team LeadSouthfield, Michigan · On-siteApplyComplex Claims AdvisorCalifornia · HybridApplyField Adjuster TraineeAnchorage, Alaska · On-siteApplyBenefit LiaisonOregon · On-siteApplyComplex Claims AnalystSun Prairie, Wisconsin · On-site - 07
State of Vermont
State GovernmentPublic AdministrationPolicyState of Vermont has 50 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Compliance & Legal. Vermont state government manages public programs in health, education, environmental conservation, and economic development.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research26
- Compliance & Legal23
- Project & Program Management14
- Healthcare Administration14
- Nursing10
+100 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Vermont50 openSee all 50+ State of Vermont OPT jobsApplyPublic Health Nutritionist ISpringfield, Vermont · HybridApplyPublic Health Nutritionist IISpringfield, Vermont · HybridApplyFinancial Manager IMontpelier, Vermont · On-siteApplyDeputy ClerkMontpelier, Vermont · On-siteApplySenior Behavioral Health Concurrent Care ManagerWaterbury, Vermont · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 1,600+ OPT jobs- 08
Boston Public Health Commission
Public HealthCity AgencyHealth ServicesBoston Public Health Commission has 46 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Project & Program Management and Healthcare Administration. The Boston Public Health Commission is the city's independent public health authority serving Boston residents.
Open roles by team
- Project & Program Management29
- Healthcare Administration24
- Science & Research22
- Mental & Behavioral Health20
- Nursing15
+83 roles across other teams
Open roles at Boston Public Health Commission46 openSee all 46+ Boston Public Health Commission OPT jobsApplyProgram Coordinator IIBoston, Massachusetts · HybridApplyCompliance and Credentialing AssociateBoston, Massachusetts · HybridApplySenior PlannerBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyCoordinator IBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyHealth EducatorBoston, Massachusetts · On-site - 09
State of New Hampshire
State GovernmentPublic AdministrationPolicyState of New Hampshire has 43 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Civil & Structural Engineering. New Hampshire state government oversees public programs in health, education, transportation, and workforce development.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal21
- Civil & Structural Engineering14
- Mental & Behavioral Health14
- Project & Program Management13
- Engineering (Non-Software)12
+77 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of New Hampshire43 openSee all 43+ State of New Hampshire OPT jobsApplyBail Commissioner Payment SpecialistConcord, New Hampshire · On-siteApplyACCOUNTANT IIIConcord, New Hampshire · On-siteApplyGEOSCIENCE PROGRAM SPECIALISTConcord, New Hampshire · On-siteApplyACCOUNTANT IConcord, New Hampshire · On-siteApplyACCOUNTANT IVConcord, New Hampshire · On-site - 10
State of Wyoming
State GovernmentEnergy PolicyAdministrationState of Wyoming has 42 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 & Legal18
- Project & Program Management17
- Manufacturing Operations11
- Science & Research10
- Engineering (Non-Software)9
+98 roles across other teams
Open roles at State of Wyoming42 openSee all 42+ State of Wyoming OPT jobsApplyHighway Maintenance Technician & Snowplow OperatorLaramie, Wyoming · On-siteApplyOpioid Overdose Prevention CoordinatorCheyenne, Wyoming · On-siteApplySenior AccountantCheyenne, Wyoming · On-siteApplyHighway Maintenance Technician & Snow Plow OperatorJackson, Wyoming · On-siteApplySr Contract & Purchase Administration Specialist ICheyenne, Wyoming · Hybrid
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 1,600+ OPT jobsGovernment and Public Sector OPT Employers: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies hire the most OPT students?
Texas Health and Human Services Commission has the most, with 217 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by State of New Mexico (192) and State of Washington (127). Across the 10 government and public sector employers on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 953 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.