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 October 28, 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 October 28, 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 roles1,105 openSee all 1,105+ F-1 OPT ai & machine learning jobsApplyAI & Machine Learning Engineering ConsultantNew York, New York · Hybrid · $128,400/yr - $200,600/yrApplyGlobal Behavioral Analytics & AI SpecialistHoboken, New Jersey · On-site · $109,300/yr - $193,600/yrApplyProtein ML Senior Principal Data ScientistWaltham, Massachusetts · On-site · $148,500/yr - $214,500/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 roles174 openSee all 174+ F-1 OPT robotics engineering jobsApplyApplied & Research ScientistPasadena, California · On-site · $142,800/yr - $193,200/yrApplyApplied Scientist IIReading, Massachusetts · On-site · $142,800/yr - $193,200/yrApplySenior Motion Planning EngineerLas Vegas, Nevada · On-site · $172,000/yr - $229,000/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 roles4,274 openSee all 4,274+ F-1 OPT software engineering jobsApplySenior Algorithm EngineerMilpitas, California · On-site · $136,300/yr - $199,900/yrApplyForward Deployed EngineerSanta Clara, California · On-site · $116,000/yr - $230,000/yrApplySolutions EngineerNew York, New York · On-site · $100,800/yr - $172,800/yr Unlock every F-1 OPT job in these roles
Find 140,000+ 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 roles295 openSee all 295+ F-1 OPT solutions architecture jobsApplySolutions EngineerAdvance, North Carolina · On-site · $78,750/yr - $202,900/yrApplyCustomer Solutions EngineerSeattle, Washington · On-site · $115,520/yr - $198,360/yrApplySr Solutions Architect IIPhoenix, Arizona · Hybrid · $123,000/yr - $215,250/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 roles1,502 openSee all 1,502+ F-1 OPT cloud & devops jobsApplyAI & Machine Learning Engineering ConsultantNew York, New York · Hybrid · $128,400/yr - $200,600/yrApplyAI Platform EngineerAllen Park, Michigan · Hybrid · $99,600/yr - $166,600/yrApplySoftware Development Engineer IIAustin, Texas · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/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 roles827 openSee all 827+ F-1 OPT cybersecurity jobsApplyApplication Security EngineerSeattle, Washington · On-site · $136,000/yr - $184,000/yrApplySenior Cybersecurity EngineerRemote · Remote · $97,100/yr - $161,800/yrApplyStaff Cyber Security ArchitectRemote · Remote · $111,900/yr - $186,500/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 roles1,191 openSee all 1,191+ F-1 OPT product management jobsApplySenior Manager, Offer and Client ExperienceNew York, New York · On-site · $100,000/yr - $180,000/yrApplyBusiness System ManagerRemote · Remote · $88,000/yr - $147,000/yrApplyNew Technology Introduction LeaderGreenville, South Carolina · On-site · $81,700/yr - $136,700/yr See F-1 OPT jobs across all 10 roles and thousands more
Find 140,000+ 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 roles614 openSee all 614+ F-1 OPT investment banking jobsApplyQuantitative Investment AnalystBaltimore, Maryland · Hybrid · $94,078/yr - $169,000/yrApplyInsurance Acquisition & Partnerships AssociateNew York, New York · On-site · $125,000/yr - $160,000/yrApplyInvestment Strategy AnalystNew York, New York · On-site · $111,000/yr - $175,000/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 roles3,096 openSee all 3,096+ F-1 OPT technical program management jobsApplySolutions EngineerNew York, New York · On-site · $100,800/yr - $172,800/yrApplyDesign Technology LeadSan Francisco, California · On-site · $110,000/yr - $130,000/yrApplySr. Cloud Applications DeveloperDallas, Texas · On-site · $94,100/yr - $141,100/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 roles4,328 openSee all 4,328+ F-1 OPT data science & analytics jobsApplyAssociate ActuaryFairfield, Ohio · On-site · $110,000/yr - $180,000/yrApplyForward Deployed EngineerSanta Clara, California · On-site · $116,000/yr - $230,000/yrApplyGCP DeveloperGeorgia · On-site · $54,300/yr - $159,120/yr
See F-1 OPT jobs across all 10 roles and thousands more
Find 140,000+ 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 140,000+ 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.