10 Highest-Paying F-1 STEM OPT Jobs

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated September 13, 2026 · 4 min read

The highest-paying F-1 STEM OPT jobs are led by AI & Machine Learning, Solutions Architecture, and Robotics Engineering, the three F-1 STEM OPT role categories with the highest median listed salaries. On Migrate Mate, AI & Machine Learning pays the most, with a median listed salary of $183,000 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 pay.

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Which F-1 STEM OPT jobs pay the most?

Ranked by the median salary listed across live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, updated September 13, 2026

Editor’s note

How these salaries are calculated

Each role is ranked by the median salary listed across live F-1 STEM 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.

  1. 01

    AI & Machine Learning

    Highest paid
    $183,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $160,000 – $210,000
    Listings analyzed
    817
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    AI & Machine Learning is the highest-paying F-1 STEM OPT role on this list, with a median listed salary of $183,000 across 817 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for ai & machine learning now
    AppleBoston Consulting GroupNVIDIAJPMorganChase
    Open AI & Machine Learning roles1,226 open
    Software Dev Engineer II
    Seattle, Washington · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/yr
    Apply
    Principal Machine Learning Engineer
    Missouri · Hybrid · $140,000/yr - $185,000/yr
    Apply
    Applied Scientist
    New York, New York · On-site · $172,400/yr - $223,400/yr
    Apply
    See all 1,226+ F-1 STEM OPT ai & machine learning jobs
  2. 02

    Solutions Architecture

    $175,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $150,000 – $200,000
    Listings analyzed
    169
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    Solutions Architecture has a median listed F-1 STEM OPT salary of $175,000, across 169 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for solutions architecture now
    MolexBoston Consulting GroupNVIDIASalesforce
    Open Solutions Architecture roles222 open
    Solution Engineer
    Dallas, Texas · Remote · $170,300/yr - $281,500/yr
    Apply
    Solutions Architect
    Santa Clara, California · On-site · $124,000/yr - $241,500/yr
    Apply
    Real Time Operations Solutions Engineer
    New Albany, Ohio · On-site · $116,255/yr - $177,503/yr
    Apply
    See all 222+ F-1 STEM OPT solutions architecture jobs
  3. 03

    Robotics Engineering

    $169,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $138,000 – $208,000
    Listings analyzed
    106
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    Robotics Engineering pays a median of $169,000, across 106 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for robotics engineering now
    AppleDexmateDoorDashNVIDIA
    Open Robotics Engineering roles134 open
    Applied Scientist II
    Reading, Massachusetts · On-site · $142,800/yr - $193,200/yr
    Apply
    Robotics SDE
    Pasadena, California · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/yr
    Apply
    Member of Technical Staff
    San Francisco, California · On-site · $150,000/yr - $300,000/yr
    Apply
    See all 134+ F-1 STEM OPT robotics engineering jobs

  4. Unlock every F-1 STEM OPT job in these roles

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  5. 04

    Software Engineering

    $168,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $131,000 – $183,000
    Listings analyzed
    747
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    The median listed F-1 STEM OPT salary for software engineering is $168,000, across 747 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for software engineering now
    AppleBoston Consulting GroupNVIDIAQualcomm
    Open Software Engineering roles4,642 open
    Software Quality Engineer
    San Diego, California · On-site · $118,000/yr - $207,100/yr
    Apply
    Wireless Analytics & Intelligence Software Engineer
    San Francisco Bay Area, California · On-site · $129,300/yr - $194,700/yr
    Apply
    Software Development Engineer
    Santa Clara, California · On-site · $165,200/yr - $223,600/yr
    Apply
    See all 4,642+ F-1 STEM OPT software engineering jobs
  6. 05

    Cloud & DevOps

    $162,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $130,000 – $179,000
    Listings analyzed
    729
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    Cloud & DevOps shows a median listed salary of $162,000 across 729 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for cloud & devops now
    AppleBoston Consulting GroupPalantir TechnologiesByteDance
    Open Cloud & DevOps roles1,577 open
    Software Dev Engineer II
    Seattle, Washington · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/yr
    Apply
    Software Dev Engineer
    Bellevue, Washington · On-site · $143,700/yr - $194,400/yr
    Apply
    Software Privacy Engineer
    Bellevue, Washington · On-site · $136,000/yr - $184,000/yr
    Apply
    See all 1,577+ F-1 STEM OPT cloud & devops jobs
  7. 06

    Cybersecurity

    $150,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $111,000 – $178,000
    Listings analyzed
    430
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    Cybersecurity has a median listed F-1 STEM OPT salary of $150,000, across 430 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for cybersecurity now
    Boston Consulting GroupAppleAnthropicAbbVie
    Open Cybersecurity roles658 open
    Software Privacy Engineer
    Bellevue, Washington · On-site · $136,000/yr - $184,000/yr
    Apply
    EASM / Persistent Perimeter Assurance Analyst
    Quincy, Massachusetts · On-site · $125,000/yr - $215,000/yr
    Apply
    Software Development Engineer
    Annapolis Junction, Maryland · On-site · $143,700/yr - $213,800/yr
    Apply
    See all 658+ F-1 STEM OPT cybersecurity jobs
  8. 07

    QA & Test Engineering

    $137,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $105,000 – $176,000
    Listings analyzed
    613
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    QA & Test Engineering pays a median of $137,000, across 613 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for qa & test engineering now
    AppleMicron TechnologyNVIDIAAbbVie
    Open QA & Test Engineering roles1,175 open
    Software Quality Engineer
    San Diego, California · On-site · $118,000/yr - $207,100/yr
    Apply
    Design Verification Engineer
    Seattle, Washington · On-site · $122,700/yr - $184,800/yr
    Apply
    Salesforce Engineer III
    Rochester, New York · On-site · $93,590/yr - $147,070/yr
    Apply
    See all 1,175+ F-1 STEM OPT qa & test engineering jobs

  9. See F-1 STEM OPT jobs across all 10 roles and thousands more

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  10. 08

    Data Science & Analytics

    $135,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $98,000 – $175,000
    Listings analyzed
    695
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    The median listed F-1 STEM OPT salary for data science & analytics is $135,000, across 695 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for data science & analytics now
    AppleJPMorganChaseBoston Consulting GroupNVIDIA
    Open Data Science & Analytics roles3,610 open
    Data Scientist
    Texas · Remote · $91,800/yr - $153,000/yr
    Apply
    Wireless Analytics & Intelligence Software Engineer
    San Francisco Bay Area, California · On-site · $129,300/yr - $194,700/yr
    Apply
    Business Intelligence Engineer I
    Bellevue, Washington · On-site · $82,300/yr - $144,000/yr
    Apply
    See all 3,610+ F-1 STEM OPT data science & analytics jobs
  11. 09

    Electrical Engineering

    $125,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $100,000 – $161,000
    Listings analyzed
    531
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    Electrical Engineering shows a median listed salary of $125,000 across 531 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for electrical engineering now
    AppleMicron TechnologyWSPJobot
    Open Electrical Engineering roles3,590 open
    Design Verification Engineer
    Seattle, Washington · On-site · $122,700/yr - $184,800/yr
    Apply
    Project Engineer
    Walnut Creek, California · Hybrid · $105,000/yr - $140,000/yr
    Apply
    Staff Electrical Engineer
    Portage, Michigan · On-site · $89,300/yr - $148,800/yr
    Apply
    See all 3,590+ F-1 STEM OPT electrical engineering jobs
  12. 10

    Network Engineering

    $122,000median listed salary
    Most listings pay
    $88,000 – $160,000
    Listings analyzed
    92
    From live F-1 STEM OPT salaries on Migrate Mate

    Network Engineering has a median listed F-1 STEM OPT salary of $122,000, across 92 F-1 STEM OPT listings on Migrate Mate.

    Hiring for network engineering now
    GoogleCollabera
    Open Network Engineering roles174 open
    Optical Network Development Engineer
    Seattle, Washington · On-site · $114,100/yr - $160,000/yr
    Apply
    Optical Network Dev Engineer
    Seattle, Washington · On-site · $114,100/yr - $160,000/yr
    Apply
    Senior Enterprise Communications Engineer
    Manhasset, New York · On-site · $91,400/yr - $158,100/yr
    Apply
    See all 174+ F-1 STEM OPT network engineering jobs

See F-1 STEM OPT jobs across all 10 roles and thousands more

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How F-1 STEM OPT works

STEM OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT for students with an eligible STEM degree. The student applies through their DSO and USCIS; the employer does not file a petition but must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan. The role must relate to the STEM degree, and pay must be commensurate with similarly situated U.S. workers.

Related on Migrate Mate

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Highest-Paying F-1 STEM OPT Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which F-1 STEM OPT jobs pay the most?

AI & Machine Learning pays the most, with a median listed salary of $183,000 across 817 F-1 STEM OPT listings, followed by Solutions Architecture ($175,000) and Robotics Engineering ($169,000). The figures are the median of salaries listed on Migrate Mate for each role, updated July 2026.

Who is eligible for F-1 STEM OPT?

F-1 STEM OPT is available to F-1 students who have completed a degree in a STEM-designated field, are currently on a valid post-completion OPT period, and have a job offer from an employer enrolled in E-Verify. The role must directly relate to the student's STEM degree field. The student files Form I-765 through their DSO and can apply up to 90 days before their OPT EAD expires. The extension adds 24 months of work authorization.

Do these F-1 STEM 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 STEM OPT job?

The highest-paying F-1 STEM 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.

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