Top 10 Companies Hiring Professors on OPT
The top 10 companies hiring Professors on OPT include Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, and University of Florida, spanning public school districts, charter networks, and research universities across the United States. Migrate Mate is tracking 811 live OPT jobs across these employers as of August 26, 2026, updated daily. For F-1 students with a degree in education or a related field, these institutions offer direct entry into teaching and academic roles without requiring any employer filing.
Which companies hire the most Professors on OPT?
Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily
- 01
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsTeachingCharlotte Mecklenburg Schools has 181 live OPT openings for professors, the most of any company on this list. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools serves students across Charlotte and surrounding Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction386
- Higher Education55
- Healthcare Administration1
Open roles at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools181 openSee all 181+ Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools OPT jobsApplyTeacher, Middle Grades ScienceCharlotte, North Carolina · On-siteApplyExceptional Children Teacher AssistantCharlotte, North Carolina · On-siteApplyAssistant, Teacher K-3Charlotte, North Carolina · On-siteApplyTeacher, IB HS LeadCharlotte, North Carolina · On-siteApplyTeacher, Middle Grades Language ArtsCharlotte, North Carolina · On-site - 02
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsTeachingMemphis-Shelby County Schools has 4 live OPT openings for professors. Memphis-Shelby County Schools is the unified public school district serving Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction143
Open roles at Memphis-Shelby County Schools4 openSee all Memphis-Shelby County Schools OPT jobsApplyClassroom TeacherCordova, Tennessee · On-siteApplyCCTE Classroom TeacherMemphis, Tennessee · On-siteApplyClassroom Teacher – Special EducationMemphis, Tennessee · On-siteApplyClassroom Teacher ElementaryMemphis, Tennessee · On-site - 03
University of Florida
Higher EducationResearchAcademiaUniversity of Florida has 54 live OPT openings for professors. The University of Florida is a public flagship research university offering a broad range of academic and professional programs in Gainesville.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons51
- Teaching & Instruction35
- Nursing33
- Healthcare Administration28
- Science & Research20
+32 roles across other teams
Open roles at University of Florida54 openSee all 54+ University of Florida OPT jobsApplyAssistant/Associate/Full Professor of Veterinary NeurologyGainesville, Florida · On-siteApplyAssistant/Associate ProfessorGainesville, Florida · On-siteApplyLECTURERGainesville, Florida · On-siteApplyClinical Assistant/Associate Professor of Small Animal Soft Tissue and Minimally Invasive SurgeryGainesville, Florida · On-siteApplyAssistant/Associate/Full Professor of Neuromuscular NeurologyGainesville, Florida · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 4,900+ OPT jobs for professors- 04
Chicago Public Schools
K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsTeachingChicago Public Schools has 119 live OPT openings for professors. Chicago Public Schools operates one of the largest urban public school districts in the United States.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction238
Open roles at Chicago Public Schools119 openSee all 119+ Chicago Public Schools OPT jobsApplyRegular TeacherChicago, Illinois · On-siteApplyTeacherChicago, Illinois · On-siteApplyTeacher AssistantChicago, Illinois · On-siteApplyELA/SS TeacherChicago, Illinois · On-siteApplySPED TeacherChicago, Illinois · On-site - 05
Spring Independent School District
K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsTeachingSpring Independent School District has 133 live OPT openings for professors. Spring Independent School District is a suburban public school system serving the north Houston, Texas area.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction290
- Higher Education9
- Engineering (Non-Software)2
- Healthcare Administration1
Open roles at Spring Independent School District133 openSee all 133+ Spring Independent School District OPT jobsApplyMath TeacherSpring, Texas · On-siteApplyEngineering TeacherHouston, Texas · On-siteApplyStructured Behavior Support (SBS) TeacherHouston, Texas · On-siteApplyTheater TeacherSpring, Texas · On-siteApplyFamily Consumer Science CTE TeacherHouston, Texas · 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
University of Kentucky
Higher EducationResearchAcademiaUniversity of Kentucky has 81 live OPT openings for professors. The University of Kentucky is a public research university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in Lexington.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons89
- Teaching & Instruction51
- Healthcare Administration51
- Nursing39
- Science & Research31
+20 roles across other teams
Open roles at University of Kentucky81 openSee all 81+ University of Kentucky OPT jobsApplyAssistant, Associate or ProfessorLexington, Kentucky · On-siteApplyAssistant Professor of Behavioral ScienceLexington, Kentucky · On-siteApplyResearch Assistant ProfessorLexington, Kentucky · On-siteApplyAssistant, Associate or Professor Division of PeriodonticsLexington, Kentucky · On-siteApplyAssistant Professor of Educational Policy Studies & EvaluationLexington, Kentucky · On-site - 07
Texas A&M University
Higher EducationResearchAcademiaTexas A&M University has 39 live OPT openings for professors. Texas A&M University is a public research university in College Station and one of the largest universities in the United States.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction49
- Higher Education24
- Science & Research21
- Healthcare Administration5
- Compliance & Legal3
+12 roles across other teams
Open roles at Texas A&M University39 openSee all 39+ Texas A&M University OPT jobsApplyAssistant ProfessorCollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplyAssociate ProfessorCollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplyAssistant Professor of Modern Middle EastCollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplyAssistant or Associate Professor, AI for Autonomous Agricultural Systems-Robotics & SensingCollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplyAssistant Professor in Marine BiologyGalveston, Texas · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 4,900+ OPT jobs for professors- 08
IDEA Public Schools
Charter SchoolsEducationTeachingIDEA Public Schools has 89 live OPT openings for professors. IDEA Public Schools is a charter school network operating college-preparatory campuses across Texas and other states.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction190
- Executive Assistant & Personal Assistant50
Open roles at IDEA Public Schools89 openSee all 89+ IDEA Public Schools OPT jobsApplyInterventionist TeacherSan Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area · On-siteApply1st grade TeacherMcAllen, Texas · On-siteApplySpecial Education TeacherGreater Houston · On-siteApply6th Grade Reading Language Arts TeacherBrownsville, Texas · On-siteApplyCTE Principles of Exercise Science & Wellness TeacherHidalgo County, Texas · On-site - 09
Baltimore City Public Schools
K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsTeachingBaltimore City Public Schools has 74 live OPT openings for professors. Baltimore City Public Schools is the public school system serving students throughout Baltimore, Maryland.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction146
- Nursing2
- Higher Education1
- Healthcare Administration1
- Caregiving & Elderly Support1
Open roles at Baltimore City Public Schools74 openSee all 74+ Baltimore City Public Schools OPT jobsApplyTeacher VocationalBaltimore, Maryland · On-siteApplyTeacher Vocational- Business Management & Finance PathwayBaltimore, Maryland · On-siteApplyTeacher Vocational- Technology Networking- CISCOBaltimore, Maryland · On-siteApplyTeacher Vocational- Construction Trades Pathway- MasonryBaltimore, Maryland · On-siteApplyTeacher Vocational- Hospitality and TourismBaltimore, Maryland · On-site - 10
University Of Washington
Higher EducationResearchAcademiaUniversity Of Washington has 37 live OPT openings for professors. The University of Washington is a public research university headquartered in Seattle with a broad range of academic programs.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons38
- Nursing29
- Healthcare Administration24
- Teaching & Instruction22
- Higher Education11
+18 roles across other teams
Open roles at University Of Washington37 openSee all 37+ University Of Washington OPT jobsApplyActing Assistant Professor, HistorySeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyAssistant or Associate Professor of Clinical Practice Family Medicine Sports MedicineSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyAssistant Professor - Child, Family, & Population Health NursingSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyAssistant, Associate or Full Professor without tenureSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyClinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, or Clinical Professor | PsychiatristSeattle, Washington · 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 4,900+ OPT jobs for professorsOPT Employers for Professors: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor the most OPT visas for Professors?
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools has the most, with 181 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Memphis-Shelby County Schools (4) and University of Florida (54). Across the 10 companies on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 811 live OPT jobs, updated daily.
Who is eligible for OPT?
F-1 students on OPT are eligible to work in roles directly related to their field of study. Standard post-completion OPT authorizes 12 months of work after graduation. Students who graduated in a qualifying STEM field may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, bringing the total to 36 months. The student applies through their Designated School Official and files Form I-765 with USCIS, the employer does not file anything.
Do professors qualify for F-1 OPT as a specialty occupation?
Yes. Professors typically hold a bachelor's degree in a specific field, which is exactly the specialty-occupation standard F-1 OPT is built around. What matters is that the employer classifies the role under a matching occupation code and that your degree lines up with it.
How do I get OPT through a top employer?
To work on OPT, you request a recommendation from your Designated School Official, who updates your record in the student tracking system, then you file Form I-765 with USCIS and pay the required application fee. Once USCIS approves and mails your Employment Authorization Document, you can begin working in a role related to your field of study. The employer simply hires you, they do not file any paperwork on your behalf. Apply early, as processing takes several weeks.