Entry Level STEM OPT Jobs

Entry level roles on STEM OPT give you 24 months of E-Verify-backed work authorization without a lottery or cap. Employers file your OPT extension through USCIS, not a sponsorship petition, making early-career hiring faster and lower-risk for them than H-1B visa. Your degree field must align with your job title.

Find Entry Level STEM OPT Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs9,005+
Top Visa TypeF-1 STEM OPT
Work Type91% On-site
Top LocationAustin, TX
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 9,005+ STEM OPT jobs

Kaycha Labs
Lab Analyst I
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Kaycha Labs
New 25m ago
Lab Analyst I
Kaycha Labs
Albany, New York
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$26.84/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
51-200

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Quadax, Inc.
Technical Support
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Quadax, Inc.
New 33m ago
Technical Support
Quadax, Inc.
Middleburg Heights, Ohio
IT Support & Systems Administration
Customer Service & Support
IT Support
Customer Support
$40k - $50k/yr
Hybrid
Associate's
501-1,000

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Boeing
Software Engineer
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Boeing
New 1h ago
Software Engineer
Boeing
Bingen, Washington
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Backend Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
$83k - $114k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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New York University
Associate Research Scientist
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New York University
New 1h ago
Associate Research Scientist
New York University
New York, New York
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$30/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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TikTok USDS Joint Venture
Fintech Risk Management Specialist
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TikTok USDS Joint Venture
New 2h ago
Fintech Risk Management Specialist
TikTok USDS Joint Venture
Los Angeles, California
Compliance & Legal
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Project & Program Management
Compliance & Risk
Data Science
$137k - $228k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See all 9,005+ Entry Level STEM OPT Jobs

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs

Verify your degree matches your role

USCIS requires a direct relationship between your STEM degree field and your job duties. Before applying, confirm your SOC code on O*NET aligns with your degree's CIP code. Mismatches are the most common reason STEM OPT extension requests are denied.

File your STEM OPT extension 90 days early

USCIS requires you to apply at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date. Your DSO must recommend the extension in SEVIS first. Missing this window doesn't grant extra time and can result in a gap in your work authorization.

Use Migrate Mate to find STEM OPT-ready employers

Search Migrate Mate to surface employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and STEM hiring history by occupation. This cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that can't legally authorize your extension.

Negotiate your training plan before signing

Your employer must complete a Form I-983 training plan documenting how the role relates to your STEM degree. Get clarity on who owns this before accepting an offer. Employers unfamiliar with I-983 requirements can delay your extension even after hiring you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find entry level jobs that support STEM OPT?

Search Migrate Mate to find entry level roles at employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, which is required for STEM OPT authorization. Applying broadly without checking E-Verify status wastes time. Narrow by your SOC code to ensure the roles you target match your degree field, which USCIS requires for extension approval.

What does an employer actually have to do to hire me on STEM OPT?

Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, sign and co-develop a Form I-983 training plan with you, and report your employment status to your DSO every six months. They don't file a separate visa petition, which makes STEM OPT hires faster to process than H-1B hires. Many mid-size and large tech, engineering, and life sciences employers already have this infrastructure in place.

Is my STEM OPT tied to a specific employer?

Yes, your STEM OPT is employer-specific. If you change jobs, you must update your employment in SEVIS through your DSO and get a new I-983 signed by the new employer. You can change employers on STEM OPT, but the new employer must also be E-Verify enrolled and your role must still align with your STEM degree field.

What if my entry level job title doesn't obviously match my STEM degree?

USCIS evaluates the relationship between your degree's CIP code and your role's SOC code, not just job titles. A computer science graduate in a 'data operations analyst' role can qualify if the SOC code falls within an approved STEM designation. Check your job's SOC code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list before filing your extension request.

Can I start working at a new entry level job before my STEM OPT extension is approved?

Yes, if you filed your STEM OPT extension on time, you receive an automatic 180-day cap-gap that lets you keep working while USCIS processes your application. This applies only if you filed before your initial OPT expired. Your new employer must be E-Verify enrolled from day one of your employment, not just after approval.