OPT Electrician Jobs

Electrician jobs on OPT are available through employers who sponsor H-2B visa, H-1B visa, or TN visas for skilled tradespeople. Most roles require state licensure, which varies by state, so confirming your license transfers before accepting an offer matters. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this field.

See All OPT Electrician Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs168+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type96% On-site
Median Salary$23K
Top LocationMorenci, AZ
Most JobsFreeport-McMoRan

Showing 5 of 168+ Electrician jobs

Regeneron
Electrician
We won't show you this job again
Regeneron
Added 2d ago
Electrician
Regeneron
East Greenbush, New York
Electrical Engineering
Maintenance & Repair
$24/hr - $52/hr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Norfolk Southern
Electrician
We won't show you this job again
Norfolk Southern
Added 3d ago
Electrician
Norfolk Southern
Charlotte, North Carolina
Electrical Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Maintenance & Repair
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Siemens
Electrician
We won't show you this job again
Siemens
Added 4d ago
Electrician
Siemens
Wendell, North Carolina
Electrical Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Maintenance & Repair
$44,520/yr - $76,320/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Conitex-Sonoco U.S.A.
Electrician
We won't show you this job again
Conitex-Sonoco U.S.A.
Added 5d ago
Electrician
Conitex-Sonoco U.S.A.
Chestnut Hill, Tennessee
Electrical Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Maintenance & Repair
$75,667/yr
On-Site
Associate's

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Martin Marietta
Electrician
We won't show you this job again
Martin Marietta
Added 5d ago
Electrician
Martin Marietta
Watauga, Tennessee
Electrical Engineering
Maintenance & Repair
On-Site
Associate's
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)

See all 168+ Electrician Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Electrician roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 168+ OPT Electrician Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Electrician Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Electrician

Verify your state electrical license transfers

Electrical licensing is state-specific. Before applying, confirm whether your existing credentials qualify for reciprocity in that state or whether you'll need to complete additional exams or supervised hours before working legally.

Target employers with H-2B or TN sponsorship history

Large electrical contractors and construction firms are more likely to have sponsored skilled trades workers before. Focus on companies with federal contracts or large commercial projects, where workforce planning includes visa sponsorship.

Be upfront about your OPT end date

Electrician roles often involve multi-month project cycles. Employers need to know your OPT expiration date early so they can time sponsorship paperwork to avoid gaps in your authorization before a project completes.

Highlight apprenticeship hours and certifications clearly

OSHA 10 or 30 certifications, journeyman status, and documented apprenticeship hours signal job readiness. List these prominently on your resume, as hiring managers in trades evaluate credentials before reviewing anything else.

Understand that STEM OPT does not apply here

Electrician roles are not classified under STEM CIP codes, so you cannot apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Plan your timeline around your standard 12-month OPT window and target employers willing to sponsor.

Prepare documentation proving work authorization proactively

Trades employers often run E-Verify and require I-9 documentation on day one. Bring your EAD card, passport, and I-20 to any onboarding meeting so there are no delays starting work after an offer is accepted.

Electrician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as an electrician on OPT?

Yes, you can work as an electrician on OPT as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. Most qualifying degrees would be in electrical engineering or a closely related technical program. You cannot work in a general trades role if it falls outside your degree field, so confirm the connection before accepting an offer.

Does the STEM OPT extension apply to electrician jobs?

No. The 24-month STEM OPT extension only applies to degrees classified under designated STEM CIP codes. Electrician and electrical trades roles are not included in that list. Your OPT work authorization is limited to the standard 12-month period, so visa sponsorship planning should start well before that window closes.

What visa can an employer sponsor after my OPT ends for an electrician role?

Employers most commonly sponsor electricians through the H-2B visa temporary nonagricultural worker visa, which is used for skilled trades. TN status is available for Canadian and Mexican nationals in certain engineering roles. H-1B visa sponsorship is possible but less common for trades positions unless the role is tied to an engineering function requiring a bachelor's degree.

Do I need a U.S. electrical license to work on OPT as an electrician?

In most states, yes. Electrical work is regulated at the state level, and you typically need a journeyman or master electrician license to work independently. Licensing requirements vary significantly by state, and some states offer reciprocity for licenses held elsewhere. Confirm the specific requirements for the state where the job is located before applying.

Where can I find electrician jobs that sponsor OPT students?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship willingness, saving you time you'd otherwise spend screening employers manually. Browse electrician and skilled trades listings on Migrate Mate to find employers who have a track record of working with international candidates and understand the OPT timeline.