6 Highest-Paying J-1 Jobs
The highest-paying J-1 jobs are led by AI & Machine Learning, Software Engineering, and Data Science & Analytics, the three J-1 role categories with the highest median listed salaries. On Migrate Mate, AI & Machine Learning pays the most, with a median listed salary of $78,000 as of October 28, 2026. These figures reflect median salaries listed by sponsoring employers across active J-1 openings and are not a guarantee of pay.
Which J-1 jobs pay the most?
Ranked by the median salary listed across live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate, updated October 28, 2026
How these salaries are calculated
Each role is ranked by the median salary listed across live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate, not by any single top-paying listing. Using the median means one unusually high or mis-stated posting cannot distort the order, so the figures reflect what a typical role in each category actually pays. Salaries come from employer listings and update as the data refreshes. Exact pay is always set by the employer and shown on each listing.
- 01
AI & Machine Learning
Highest paid$78,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$62,000 – $119,000Listings analyzed40From live J-1 salaries on Migrate MateAI & Machine Learning is the highest-paying J-1 role on this list, with a median listed salary of $78,000 across 40 J-1 listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for ai & machine learning nowOpen AI & Machine Learning roles69 openSee all 69+ J-1 ai & machine learning jobsApplyPostdoctoral Research AssociateUpton, New York · On-site · $74,050/yr - $122,550/yrApplyEmpire Postdoc Fellow in Self Improving AINew York, New York · On-site · $62,500/yr - $92,500/yrApplyPostdoctoral AppointeeLemont, Illinois · On-site · $72,879/yr - $121,465/yr - 02
Software Engineering
$70,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$55,000 – $102,000Listings analyzed72From live J-1 salaries on Migrate MateSoftware Engineering has a median listed J-1 salary of $70,000, across 72 J-1 listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for software engineering nowOpen Software Engineering roles176 openSee all 176+ J-1 software engineering jobsApplyPostdoctoral Research FellowChestnut Hill, Massachusetts · On-site · $67,000/yr - $76,962/yrApplyEmpire Postdoc Fellow in Self Improving AINew York, New York · On-site · $62,500/yr - $92,500/yrApplyPostdoctoral Researcher in AI for Computational Fluid DynamicsNew York, New York · On-site · $62,500/yr - $125,000/yr - 03
Data Science & Analytics
$70,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$60,000 – $85,000Listings analyzed94From live J-1 salaries on Migrate MateData Science & Analytics pays a median of $70,000, across 94 J-1 listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for data science & analytics nowOpen Data Science & Analytics roles260 openSee all 260+ J-1 data science & analytics jobsApplyResearch Associate/Data Analyst IKingston, Rhode Island · On-site · $70,000/yr - $75,000/yrApplyPostdoctoral Research FellowChestnut Hill, Massachusetts · On-site · $67,000/yr - $76,962/yrApplyEmpire Postdoc Fellow in Self Improving AINew York, New York · On-site · $62,500/yr - $92,500/yr Unlock every J-1 job in these roles
Find 3,400+ J-1 jobs- 04
Teaching & Instruction
$69,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$62,000 – $74,000Listings analyzed431From live J-1 salaries on Migrate MateThe median listed J-1 salary for teaching & instruction is $69,000, across 431 J-1 listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for teaching & instruction nowOpen Teaching & Instruction roles872 openSee all 872+ J-1 teaching & instruction jobsApplyElementary Spanish TeacherAurora, Colorado · On-site · $55,000/yr - $74,439/yrApplyMiddle School Science TeacherHarrisonburg, Virginia · On-site · $55,809/yr - $78,136/yrApplyBIL SPED TeacherChicago, Illinois · On-site · $64,469/yr - $82,839/yr - 05
Science & Research
$67,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$63,000 – $74,000Listings analyzed331From live J-1 salaries on Migrate MateScience & Research shows a median listed salary of $67,000 across 331 J-1 listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for science & research nowOpen Science & Research roles909 openSee all 909+ J-1 science & research jobsApplyPOSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLARIowa City, Iowa · On-site · $63,480/yr - $77,076/yrApplyPost-Doctoral FellowAurora, Colorado · On-site · $63,480/yr - $69,180/yrApplyPost Doctoral Research AssociateAmherst, Massachusetts · On-site · $62,838/yr - $71,033/yr - 06
Engineering (Non-Software)
$64,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$53,000 – $76,000Listings analyzed44From live J-1 salaries on Migrate MateEngineering (Non-Software) has a median listed J-1 salary of $64,000, across 44 J-1 listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for engineering (non-software) nowOpen Engineering (Non-Software) roles204 openSee all 204+ J-1 engineering (non-software) jobsApplyPostdoctoral FellowBaltimore, Maryland · On-site · $63,480/yr - $80,000/yrApplyEarly Career Rotational Program AssociateFairport, New York · On-site · $53,600/yr - $99,400/yrApplyEarly Career Rotational Program (ECRP) AssociateFairport, New York · On-site · $53,600/yr - $99,400/yr
See J-1 jobs across all 6 roles and thousands more
Find 3,400+ J-1 jobsHow the J-1 visa works
J-1 is an exchange visitor program run through a designated sponsor organization, not the employer directly. A sponsor issues Form DS-2019, and categories range from intern and trainee to research scholar and professor. Some J-1 holders face a two-year home-residency requirement afterward. Confirm which category fits and who the designated sponsor is before you commit.
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Find 3,400+ J-1 jobsHighest-Paying J-1 Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 jobs pay the most?
AI & Machine Learning pays the most, with a median listed salary of $78,000 across 40 J-1 listings, followed by Software Engineering ($70,000) and Data Science & Analytics ($70,000). The figures are the median of salaries listed on Migrate Mate for each role, updated July 2026.
Who qualifies for J-1 sponsorship?
J-1 eligibility depends on the specific program category. Interns must be enrolled in or have recently completed a degree program; trainees need a degree plus work experience, or five years of relevant work experience without a degree. Research scholars, professors, and specialists must hold advanced credentials in their field. All participants need a DS-2019 form issued by a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization before the visa can be issued.
Do these J-1 salaries include bonuses and equity?
No. Each figure is the base salary an employer listed on the job posting. Total compensation, including any bonus, equity, or overtime, is set per offer and usually sits on top of the listed base. Pay within a role also varies with seniority, specialization, and location, which is why the range around each median can be wide. Check the individual listing and confirm the full package with the employer.
How do I find a high-paying J-1 job?
The highest-paying J-1 roles concentrate in specialized technical and licensed professional fields where employers publish pay openly. Migrate Mate lists roles only from employers with a verified history of sponsoring work visas, so you can filter by role and see the salary each employer has listed. Focus on roles that match your background, since J-1 requires the role to match your credentials, and compare the listed salaries across employers before you apply.