OPT Compensation Specialist Jobs
Compensation Specialist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in human resources, business, or economics. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under USCIS guidelines, making H-1B visa transition realistic. Your 12-month OPT window, extendable to 36 months with a STEM extension, gives you time to build the analytical and compliance skills employers value.
Find OPT Compensation Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 109+ Compensation Specialist jobs
See all 109+ Compensation Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Compensation Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.
Job Description
Role Summary
The Sr. Compensation Analyst supports the administration and ongoing management of the Company's deferred compensation programs while contributing to a broad range of compensation initiatives across the organization. The Sr. Compensation Analyst also supports a variety of compensation initiatives, including compensation analyses, market benchmarking, compensation planning, program administration, and other compensation projects. This position provides a unique opportunity to develop expertise in deferred compensation while building broad-based compensation knowledge and experience.
Responsibilities
- Support the day-to-day administration of the Company's deferred compensation plans, including enrollment, participant transactions, data validation, and ongoing plan administration.
- Partner with Payroll, Tax, Finance, and external vendors to support accurate processing, reporting, and taxation of deferred compensation transactions.
- Research and resolve participant inquiries while delivering a high level of customer service and responsiveness.
- Maintain administrative procedures, documentation, and operational processes to support effective plan administration and compliance.
- Participate in cross-functional projects involving deferred compensation plans, including systems enhancements, process improvements, and corporate transactions.
- Conduct market pricing, benchmarking, and competitive assessments for a broad range of roles, and summarize findings to support compensation recommendations.
- Partner with HR teams to address compensation-related matters and provide analytical support for compensation programs, recommendations, and decision-making.
- Participate in and organize market compensation survey data to support competitive analyses, market pricing, and pay assessments.
- Assess compensation levels, pay mix, and program effectiveness relative to market practices and internal equity considerations.
- Support annual compensation planning activities, data validation, reporting, and analysis.
- Support pay transparency, pay equity, regulatory compliance, and governance initiatives through data analysis, reporting, and process execution.
- Assist with the administration and evaluation of compensation programs, policies, and processes across the organization.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.
- 2+ years of compensation experience, or related experience in human resources, finance, consulting, or a similar analytical discipline.
Desired Characteristics:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Mathematics, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
- Experience supporting compensation programs, market pricing, salary administration, incentive compensation, or compensation analytics.
- Experience working with compensation survey data, HRIS platforms, compensation systems, and reporting tools.
- Advanced Excel skills, including data analysis, modeling, reporting, and data validation.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to interpret and communicate complex data and compensation concepts in a clear and concise manner.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and integrity in handling sensitive and confidential information.
- Exposure to deferred compensation, executive compensation, equity administration, or other specialized compensation programs is a plus.
- Willing to travel as needed.
Hybrid: This position currently has a hybrid schedule, which requires contributing from the New York, NY office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.
This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Salary range: $100,000 - $120,000.
Additional Information
As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.
Company Description
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.
Job Description
Role Summary
The Sr. Compensation Analyst supports the administration and ongoing management of the Company's deferred compensation programs while contributing to a broad range of compensation initiatives across the organization. The Sr. Compensation Analyst also supports a variety of compensation initiatives, including compensation analyses, market benchmarking, compensation planning, program administration, and other compensation projects. This position provides a unique opportunity to develop expertise in deferred compensation while building broad-based compensation knowledge and experience.
Responsibilities
- Support the day-to-day administration of the Company's deferred compensation plans, including enrollment, participant transactions, data validation, and ongoing plan administration.
- Partner with Payroll, Tax, Finance, and external vendors to support accurate processing, reporting, and taxation of deferred compensation transactions.
- Research and resolve participant inquiries while delivering a high level of customer service and responsiveness.
- Maintain administrative procedures, documentation, and operational processes to support effective plan administration and compliance.
- Participate in cross-functional projects involving deferred compensation plans, including systems enhancements, process improvements, and corporate transactions.
- Conduct market pricing, benchmarking, and competitive assessments for a broad range of roles, and summarize findings to support compensation recommendations.
- Partner with HR teams to address compensation-related matters and provide analytical support for compensation programs, recommendations, and decision-making.
- Participate in and organize market compensation survey data to support competitive analyses, market pricing, and pay assessments.
- Assess compensation levels, pay mix, and program effectiveness relative to market practices and internal equity considerations.
- Support annual compensation planning activities, data validation, reporting, and analysis.
- Support pay transparency, pay equity, regulatory compliance, and governance initiatives through data analysis, reporting, and process execution.
- Assist with the administration and evaluation of compensation programs, policies, and processes across the organization.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.
- 2+ years of compensation experience, or related experience in human resources, finance, consulting, or a similar analytical discipline.
Desired Characteristics:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Mathematics, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
- Experience supporting compensation programs, market pricing, salary administration, incentive compensation, or compensation analytics.
- Experience working with compensation survey data, HRIS platforms, compensation systems, and reporting tools.
- Advanced Excel skills, including data analysis, modeling, reporting, and data validation.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to interpret and communicate complex data and compensation concepts in a clear and concise manner.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and integrity in handling sensitive and confidential information.
- Exposure to deferred compensation, executive compensation, equity administration, or other specialized compensation programs is a plus.
- Willing to travel as needed.
Hybrid: This position currently has a hybrid schedule, which requires contributing from the New York, NY office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.
This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Salary range: $100,000 - $120,000.
Additional Information
As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.
See all 109+ OPT Compensation Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Compensation Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Compensation Specialist
Target employers with established HR departments
Large companies with dedicated compensation teams are more likely to have H-1B visa sponsorship infrastructure in place. Mid-size firms with 500 or more employees often have structured HR functions that regularly sponsor international professionals for compensation and total rewards roles.
Get certified before your OPT runs out
The Certified Compensation Professional designation from WorldatWork signals technical credibility to employers. Pursuing it during your OPT period shows commitment to the field and strengthens your case as a sponsorship candidate worth investing in long term.
Lead with your quantitative skills
Compensation roles are increasingly data-heavy. Employers sponsoring OPT students want analysts who can model pay equity, build salary bands, and work with HRIS systems. Highlight Excel, SQL, or Workday experience prominently on your resume and in interviews.
Apply to companies already filing H-1B petitions
Employers who have sponsored HR and compensation professionals before are far more likely to do it again. Search Department of Labor LCA disclosure data to find companies that have filed for similar job titles, then prioritize those in your applications.
Frame your visa timeline proactively with employers
Bring up your OPT authorization early in conversations, not after an offer. Explain your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and clarify that your work authorization covers your full expected employment period. Employers who understand the timeline are less likely to hesitate.
Browse OPT-friendly roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, so you are not wasting applications on employers who will not hire OPT students. Focus your time on Compensation Specialist roles at companies already open to visa-supported candidates.
Compensation Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Compensation Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Compensation Specialist roles generally qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require at minimum a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, finance, or a related field. USCIS evaluates each petition individually, but compensation analysis and total rewards work involves specialized knowledge that supports the specialty occupation standard. Having a degree that directly aligns with the role strengthens your employer's petition considerably.
Can I work as a Compensation Specialist on F-1 OPT without any additional authorization?
Yes. If your degree is in human resources, business, economics, or a related field, working as a Compensation Specialist falls within your authorized field of study for OPT purposes. You do not need CPT or any separate authorization beyond your EAD card. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as economics or applied mathematics, you may also qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.
What types of employers hire Compensation Specialists who need OPT sponsorship?
Large corporations, healthcare systems, financial services firms, and technology companies with sizable workforces maintain dedicated compensation functions and are more accustomed to sponsoring international employees. Consulting firms that specialize in HR advisory work also hire compensation analysts and have experience navigating H-1B petitions. You can find employers open to OPT candidates specifically by browsing roles on Migrate Mate.
How does the 60-day grace period affect my job search as a Compensation Specialist on OPT?
If your OPT employment ends before your EAD expiration date, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new qualifying position, transfer to another visa status, or depart the United States. You cannot work during this window, but it gives you time to complete interviews and receive an offer. Starting your job search early and maintaining continuous employment is the safest approach.
Should I apply to Compensation Specialist roles that do not mention visa sponsorship in the job posting?
Yes, the absence of sponsorship language in a posting does not mean the employer will not consider OPT candidates. Many companies omit sponsorship details entirely and evaluate it case by case. Roles at employers with active HR functions and prior H-1B filings are worth pursuing even without explicit mention. Contacting the recruiter early to confirm their position on OPT saves time on both sides.