OPT Data Analyst Jobs
Data analyst roles are among the most accessible for OPT students because the analytical and technical skills developed in STEM programs align directly with employer needs, and demand for data professionals remains high across virtually every industry. Most data analytics degrees and related STEM programs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving graduates meaningful time to build a record with an employer before H-1B visa sponsorship becomes necessary.
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Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland.
Facility: Sanford Business Center Building
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Address: 2200 E Benson Rd, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
Shift: 8 Hours - Day Shifts
Job Schedule: Full time
Weekly Hours: 40.00
Salary Range: $24.00 - $38.50
Pay Info: Pay starts at $24 and increases according to years of applicable experience.
Department Details
This role requires the ability to consult, identify key data needs and formulate plans to meet those needs while driving a clear vision for optimizing the use and consumption of HR data across the enterprise.
Research human capital trends and practices using qualitative and quantitative scientific methods.
Job Summary
Perform data integration to and maintenance of applicable databases and supporting databases. Independently seek out additional information, knowledge and training to further understand the database system. Learn, understand and analyze process workflows within various functional areas to best understand improvements and associations, specifically with relation to data reporting, extraction and analytics. Design, develop, document, test and deploy custom reports, database smart queries and data exports. Must be knowledgeable and experienced using report writing tools and embrace new responsibilities and change associated with the database. Provide accurate information to support enterprise business and communication decisions. Collect, organize, segment, analyze, validate and disseminate significant amounts of information to communicate performance as compared to identified key performance indicators.
Use database reporting environment and complex queries to develop and deploy standard, ad-hoc and custom reports, communications and dashboards in a manner suitable to those receiving it, including both internal and external recipients. Establish and implement processes, including potential automation, to streamline the extraction of data that results in accurate, user-friendly reports, analytics and mass communications. Identify, analyze, research and interpret trends or patterns within complex data sets to provide recommendations and possible solutions. Use logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions that translate to performance measurement, improvement and outcomes.
Proactively seek improvement and monitor feedback to make recommendations for information system modifications needed to support effective and accurate reporting and analysis for the organization.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required. In lieu of education, leadership may accept six years of applicable experience.
Previous experience of two or more years in business, finance, data science, statistics, information management, analytics, or related field is preferred.
Benefits
Sanford offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, a variety of benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, work/life balance benefits, and a generous time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance. For more information about Total Rewards, visit https://sanfordcareers.com/benefits.
Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.
Sanford has a Drug Free Workplace Policy. An accepted offer will require a drug screen and pre-employment background screening as a condition of employment.
Req Number: R-0260003
Job Function: Data Analytics
Featured: No
Careers With Purpose
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland.
Facility: Sanford Business Center Building
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Address: 2200 E Benson Rd, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
Shift: 8 Hours - Day Shifts
Job Schedule: Full time
Weekly Hours: 40.00
Salary Range: $24.00 - $38.50
Pay Info: Pay starts at $24 and increases according to years of applicable experience.
Department Details
This role requires the ability to consult, identify key data needs and formulate plans to meet those needs while driving a clear vision for optimizing the use and consumption of HR data across the enterprise.
Research human capital trends and practices using qualitative and quantitative scientific methods.
Job Summary
Perform data integration to and maintenance of applicable databases and supporting databases. Independently seek out additional information, knowledge and training to further understand the database system. Learn, understand and analyze process workflows within various functional areas to best understand improvements and associations, specifically with relation to data reporting, extraction and analytics. Design, develop, document, test and deploy custom reports, database smart queries and data exports. Must be knowledgeable and experienced using report writing tools and embrace new responsibilities and change associated with the database. Provide accurate information to support enterprise business and communication decisions. Collect, organize, segment, analyze, validate and disseminate significant amounts of information to communicate performance as compared to identified key performance indicators.
Use database reporting environment and complex queries to develop and deploy standard, ad-hoc and custom reports, communications and dashboards in a manner suitable to those receiving it, including both internal and external recipients. Establish and implement processes, including potential automation, to streamline the extraction of data that results in accurate, user-friendly reports, analytics and mass communications. Identify, analyze, research and interpret trends or patterns within complex data sets to provide recommendations and possible solutions. Use logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions that translate to performance measurement, improvement and outcomes.
Proactively seek improvement and monitor feedback to make recommendations for information system modifications needed to support effective and accurate reporting and analysis for the organization.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required. In lieu of education, leadership may accept six years of applicable experience.
Previous experience of two or more years in business, finance, data science, statistics, information management, analytics, or related field is preferred.
Benefits
Sanford offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, a variety of benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, work/life balance benefits, and a generous time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance. For more information about Total Rewards, visit https://sanfordcareers.com/benefits.
Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.
Sanford has a Drug Free Workplace Policy. An accepted offer will require a drug screen and pre-employment background screening as a condition of employment.
Req Number: R-0260003
Job Function: Data Analytics
Featured: No
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Get Access To All JobsData Analyst OPT Job Search Tips
Data analyst roles are among the most accessible for OPT students
Statistics, data science, information systems, and business analytics degrees are all STEM-classified, and data analyst roles align well with these fields. This combination makes data analysis one of the most accessible career paths for OPT students seeking STEM OPT extension eligibility.
Confirm your degree field aligns with the specific role
OPT requires that your work be directly related to your degree. A statistics or data science graduate working as a data analyst has a clear connection. A business degree graduate should confirm the connection with their DSO, particularly if the role is more operational than analytical.
E-Verify enrollment is essential if you want STEM OPT
Many companies that hire data analysts are E-Verify enrolled, but smaller startups and agencies may not be. Confirming E-Verify status before accepting an offer protects your ability to extend your work authorization and pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.
Build a portfolio that demonstrates end-to-end analysis
U.S. employers hiring data analysts want to see your ability to work with real data, draw conclusions, and communicate findings. A portfolio with documented projects covering data cleaning, analysis, and visualization is one of the strongest things you can bring to an interview.
Technology and financial services are strong sectors for OPT data analysts
Both sectors hire data analysts frequently, have E-Verify enrollment, and are active H-1B sponsors. If your goal is long-term status in the U.S., targeting companies in these sectors gives you both near-term employment and a clearer long-term path.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before you’re deep in the process
Data analyst roles are commonly sponsored for H-1B visas, particularly at technology and consulting firms. Asking about a company’s sponsorship history early is straightforward and helps you focus on employers who can actually support your long-term plans.
Data Analyst OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do data analyst jobs qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, data analyst roles draw directly on technical STEM degrees in data science, statistics, computer science, mathematics, and related fields. As long as your employer is E-Verify enrolled and your role connects to your degree program, data analyst positions qualify for the STEM OPT extension. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list if you are unsure.
Which industries hire data analysts on OPT most consistently?
Technology, financial services, consulting, healthcare analytics, retail, and e-commerce are the sectors with the highest volume of OPT data analyst hiring. Large companies in these industries have established data teams and recurring graduate hiring needs. Consulting firms that build analytics solutions for clients are also consistent OPT hirers and often have structured programs for converting analysts to H-1B.
What skills matter most for data analyst OPT roles?
SQL is the foundational requirement for almost every data analyst role. Python or R for statistical analysis, data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI, and familiarity with Excel or Google Sheets round out the core toolkit. Experience with cloud data platforms such as BigQuery, Redshift, or Snowflake is increasingly valued. Building a portfolio of projects that demonstrates these skills in practice, even from academic work, significantly strengthens your application.
Is a data science degree better than a statistics degree for getting OPT jobs as a data analyst?
Both are strong foundations and both are typically STEM-eligible. Employers are more focused on your technical skills and portfolio than on the precise degree title. A statistics graduate with strong Python skills and data project experience is just as competitive as a data science graduate. Highlighting the practical applications of your degree in your application materials matters more than the degree name itself.
How competitive is the data analyst job market for OPT students?
Data analytics is one of the most competitive entry-level fields overall, but OPT students with strong technical skills remain attractive candidates to employers who understand the process. Focusing on companies with a history of hiring F-1 graduates, building a strong portfolio of projects, and applying to roles where your specific technical background matches the job description closely improves your outcomes significantly.
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