10 Highest-Paying F-1 OPT Jobs
The highest-paying F-1 OPT jobs are led by AI & Machine Learning, Robotics Engineering, and Software Engineering, the three F-1 OPT role categories with the highest median listed salaries. On Migrate Mate, AI & Machine Learning pays the most, with a median listed salary of $182,000 as of September 13, 2026. These figures reflect the median of salaries listed by employers on the platform, set by each hiring company, and are not a guarantee of what any individual will earn.
Which F-1 OPT jobs pay the most?
Ranked by the median salary listed across live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, updated September 13, 2026
How these salaries are calculated
Each role is ranked by the median salary listed across live F-1 OPT 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$182,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$155,000 – $210,000Listings analyzed811From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateAI & Machine Learning is the highest-paying F-1 OPT role on this list, with a median listed salary of $182,000 across 811 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for ai & machine learning nowOpen AI & Machine Learning roles1,433 openSee all 1,433+ F-1 OPT ai & machine learning jobsApplyCyber - AI Security - Senior - ConsultingNew York, New York · On-site · $104,800/yr - $209,700/yrApplySoftware Dev Engineer IISeattle, Washington · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/yrApplyPrincipal Machine Learning EngineerMissouri · Hybrid · $140,000/yr - $185,000/yr - 02
Robotics Engineering
$175,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$145,000 – $201,000Listings analyzed121From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateRobotics Engineering has a median listed F-1 OPT salary of $175,000, across 121 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Open Robotics Engineering roles179 openSee all 179+ F-1 OPT robotics engineering jobsApplyApplied ScientistSunnyvale, California · On-site · $171,600/yr - $222,200/yrApplyApplied Scientist IIReading, Massachusetts · On-site · $142,800/yr - $193,200/yrApplyRobotics SDEPasadena, California · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/yr - 03
Software Engineering
$168,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$127,000 – $183,000Listings analyzed725From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateSoftware Engineering pays a median of $168,000, across 725 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for software engineering nowOpen Software Engineering roles5,352 openSee all 5,352+ F-1 OPT software engineering jobsApplySoftware Quality EngineerSan Diego, California · On-site · $118,000/yr - $207,100/yrApplyWireless Analytics & Intelligence Software EngineerSan Francisco Bay Area, California · On-site · $129,300/yr - $194,700/yrApplyCyber - AI Security - Senior - ConsultingNew York, New York · On-site · $104,800/yr - $209,700/yr Unlock every F-1 OPT job in these roles
Find 150,000+ F-1 OPT jobs- 04
Solutions Architecture
$165,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$147,000 – $194,000Listings analyzed207From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateThe median listed F-1 OPT salary for solutions architecture is $165,000, across 207 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for solutions architecture nowOpen Solutions Architecture roles303 openSee all 303+ F-1 OPT solutions architecture jobsApplyCyber - Enterprise Security Architect - Senior - ConsultingNew York, New York · On-site · $104,800/yr - $209,700/yrApplySolutions ArchitectSanta Clara, California · On-site · $124,000/yr - $241,500/yrApplyReal Time Operations Solutions EngineerNew Albany, Ohio · On-site · $116,255/yr - $177,503/yr - 05
Cloud & DevOps
$160,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$126,000 – $179,000Listings analyzed714From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateCloud & DevOps shows a median listed salary of $160,000 across 714 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for cloud & devops nowOpen Cloud & DevOps roles1,775 openSee all 1,775+ F-1 OPT cloud & devops jobsApplySoftware Dev EngineerBellevue, Washington · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/yrApplySoftware Dev Engineer IISeattle, Washington · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/yrApplySoftware Privacy EngineerBellevue, Washington · On-site · $136,000/yr - $184,000/yr - 06
Cybersecurity
$148,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$110,000 – $176,000Listings analyzed501From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateCybersecurity has a median listed F-1 OPT salary of $148,000, across 501 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for cybersecurity nowOpen Cybersecurity roles819 openSee all 819+ F-1 OPT cybersecurity jobsApplyIT Audit, Cybersecurity & Risk Senior ConsultantMilwaukee, Wisconsin · Hybrid · $85,910/yr - $162,890/yrApplyForensics - Crisis and Investigations - Cyber Response - SeniorMcLean, Virginia · Hybrid · $84,700/yr - $159,000/yrApplyCyber Strategy - Senior - ConsultingNew York, New York · Hybrid · $104,800/yr - $218,500/yr - 07
Product Management
$135,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$106,000 – $175,000Listings analyzed667From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateProduct Management pays a median of $135,000, across 667 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for product management nowOpen Product Management roles1,453 openSee all 1,453+ F-1 OPT product management jobsApplySenior Product ManagerCambridge, Massachusetts · On-site · $122,250/yr - $176,583/yrApplyUX ResearcherLos Angeles, California · On-site · $120,249/yr - $211,787/yrApplyProduct ManagerOregon · On-site · $124,000/yr - $170,000/yr See F-1 OPT jobs across all 10 roles and thousands more
Find 150,000+ F-1 OPT jobs- 08
Investment Banking
$129,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$105,000 – $170,000Listings analyzed553From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateThe median listed F-1 OPT salary for investment banking is $129,000, across 553 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for investment banking nowOpen Investment Banking roles692 openSee all 692+ F-1 OPT investment banking jobsApplyETF & Model Portfolio SpecialistArizona · Remote · $125,000/yr - $216,700/yrApplyGlobal Corporate Coverage AssociateColumbus, New York · Hybrid · $90,000/yr - $139,000/yrApplyVice President, Portfolio ValuationNashville, Tennessee · Hybrid · $90,000/yr - $200,000/yr - 09
Technical Program Management
$128,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$95,000 – $166,000Listings analyzed546From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateTechnical Program Management shows a median listed salary of $128,000 across 546 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for technical program management nowOpen Technical Program Management roles3,406 openSee all 3,406+ F-1 OPT technical program management jobsApplyMicrosoft Dynamics Developer - AnalystSan Antonio, Texas · On-site · $55,400/yr - $128,500/yrApplyCyber - Enterprise Security Architect - Senior - ConsultingNew York, New York · On-site · $104,800/yr - $209,700/yrApplyApigee Migration Engineer - SeniorSan Antonio, Texas · On-site · $67,000/yr - $149,100/yr - 10
Data Science & Analytics
$125,000median listed salaryMost listings pay$88,000 – $168,000Listings analyzed645From live F-1 OPT salaries on Migrate MateData Science & Analytics has a median listed F-1 OPT salary of $125,000, across 645 F-1 OPT listings on Migrate Mate.
Hiring for data science & analytics nowOpen Data Science & Analytics roles5,012 openSee all 5,012+ F-1 OPT data science & analytics jobsApplyData ScientistTexas · Remote · $91,800/yr - $153,000/yrApplyBusiness Intelligence Engineer IBellevue, Washington · On-site · $82,300/yr - $144,000/yrApplyUX ResearcherLos Angeles, California · On-site · $120,249/yr - $211,787/yr
See F-1 OPT jobs across all 10 roles and thousands more
Find 150,000+ F-1 OPT jobsHow F-1 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 150,000+ F-1 OPT jobsHighest-Paying F-1 OPT Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which F-1 OPT jobs pay the most?
AI & Machine Learning pays the most, with a median listed salary of $182,000 across 811 F-1 OPT listings, followed by Robotics Engineering ($175,000) and Software Engineering ($168,000). The figures are the median of salaries listed on Migrate Mate for each role, updated July 2026.
Who is eligible for F-1 OPT?
F-1 OPT is open to international students who have been enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university for at least one full academic year and are maintaining valid F-1 status. The student applies through their Designated School Official and files Form I-765 with USCIS. Authorization lasts 12 months, and the role must be directly related to the student's field of study. The employer does not file anything.
Do these F-1 OPT 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 F-1 OPT job?
The highest-paying F-1 OPT 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 these roles must relate to your field of study, and compare the listed salaries across employers before you apply.