OPT Payroll Clerk Jobs
Payroll Clerk roles process employee wages, tax withholdings, and benefits deductions, making them a natural fit for F-1 OPT students with accounting or finance degrees. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B visa sponsorship, and your OPT period gives you up to 12 months, or 36 on STEM OPT, to secure it.
See All OPT Payroll Clerk JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 6+ Payroll Clerk jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all Payroll Clerk Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Payroll Clerk roles.
Get Access To All JobsCOMPANY DESCRIPTION
Established in 1991, Collabera has been a leader in IT staffing for over 22 years and is one of the largest diversity IT staffing firms in the industry. As a half a billion dollar IT company, with more than 9,000 professionals across 30+ offices, Collabera offers comprehensive, cost-effective IT staffing & IT Services. We provide services to Fortune 500 and mid-size companies to meet their talent needs with high quality IT resources through Staff Augmentation, Global Talent Management, Value Added Services through CLASS (Competency Leveraged Advanced Staffing & Solutions) Permanent Placement Services and Vendor Management Programs.
Collabera recognizes true potential of human capital and provides people the right opportunities for growth and professional excellence.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Our Seattle waterfront area Client is seeking a Payroll Clerk to add to their HR team. This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door with world renowned enterprise-level company.
Day in the Life Of:
- Data entry
- Scanning/indexing
- Payroll processing (ADP)
- General research and resolutions
QUALIFICATIONS
Skills:
- Payroll (ADP) experience
- Ability to work with secure data
- Work independently
- Attention to detail
- Good verbal and written communications skills
- Word & Excel
Type: Contract – 6 months
Hours: 40, M-F 8am to 5pm
Pay Rate: $15 per hour
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To know more about this position, please contact:
Blair Ballard
425-298-1471
blair.ballard(at)collabera.com
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Established in 1991, Collabera has been a leader in IT staffing for over 22 years and is one of the largest diversity IT staffing firms in the industry. As a half a billion dollar IT company, with more than 9,000 professionals across 30+ offices, Collabera offers comprehensive, cost-effective IT staffing & IT Services. We provide services to Fortune 500 and mid-size companies to meet their talent needs with high quality IT resources through Staff Augmentation, Global Talent Management, Value Added Services through CLASS (Competency Leveraged Advanced Staffing & Solutions) Permanent Placement Services and Vendor Management Programs.
Collabera recognizes true potential of human capital and provides people the right opportunities for growth and professional excellence.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Our Seattle waterfront area Client is seeking a Payroll Clerk to add to their HR team. This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door with world renowned enterprise-level company.
Day in the Life Of:
- Data entry
- Scanning/indexing
- Payroll processing (ADP)
- General research and resolutions
QUALIFICATIONS
Skills:
- Payroll (ADP) experience
- Ability to work with secure data
- Work independently
- Attention to detail
- Good verbal and written communications skills
- Word & Excel
Type: Contract – 6 months
Hours: 40, M-F 8am to 5pm
Pay Rate: $15 per hour
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To know more about this position, please contact:
Blair Ballard
425-298-1471
blair.ballard(at)collabera.com
See all OPT Payroll Clerk Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Payroll Clerk Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Payroll Clerk
Target employers who already sponsor H-1B visas
Employers with a history of H-1B visa filings for payroll or accounting roles are your strongest leads. Check DOL disclosure data to identify companies that have sponsored similar positions before committing time to an application.
Frame your degree field clearly in every application
Payroll Clerk roles qualify as specialty occupations when tied to an accounting, finance, or business degree. Make the degree-to-role connection explicit in your resume and cover letter so hiring managers recognize the H-1B path immediately.
Get certified to strengthen your candidacy
The Fundamental Payroll Certification from the American Payroll Association signals commitment and technical depth. Employers weighing sponsorship costs look for candidates who reduce hiring risk, and a recognized credential does exactly that.
Raise the sponsorship conversation after demonstrating value
Bring up OPT and future sponsorship needs once you have a phone screen or offer stage conversation. Employers are more receptive after they have decided they want you, not before they have evaluated your qualifications.
Prioritize mid-sized companies over small startups
Payroll functions at companies with 50 to 500 employees often carry more complexity and dedicated headcount. These employers are more likely to have HR infrastructure and legal resources to support an H-1B petition for a payroll role.
Highlight software proficiency with payroll platforms
Hands-on experience with ADP, Workday, or Ceridian makes you immediately productive and harder to replace. Employers weighing sponsorship costs favor candidates who minimize onboarding time and bring specialized technical skills from day one.
Payroll Clerk OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Payroll Clerk role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
It depends on how the employer defines the role. If the position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, it generally meets the specialty occupation standard. Generalist roles where any degree suffices are harder to sponsor. When evaluating offers on Migrate Mate, look for postings that list a specific degree requirement rather than just a preference.
Can I work as a Payroll Clerk on F-1 OPT without employer authorization for each job?
Yes. OPT authorization is tied to your EAD card and your field of study, not to a specific employer. You can work for any employer offering a payroll role that relates to your degree without needing a separate employer-specific authorization. You do need to report each new employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting.
Does a Payroll Clerk job qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as accounting information systems or financial mathematics, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. A standard accounting or business degree does not qualify for STEM OPT. Check your degree's CIP code against the official STEM OPT designated degree program list before assuming eligibility.
How early should I start applying for Payroll Clerk roles on OPT?
Apply at least three to four months before your OPT start date. Hiring timelines for payroll roles at mid-sized companies often run four to eight weeks from application to offer. Starting early gives you time to negotiate, complete onboarding paperwork, and still begin work within your authorized OPT window. Browse active listings on Migrate Mate to track current hiring pace.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I lose a Payroll Clerk job?
You enter a 60-day unemployment grace period, during which you can remain in the U.S. and search for a new role without violating your F-1 status. Unemployment days are tracked cumulatively across your OPT period, with a 90-day limit for standard OPT and 150 days for STEM OPT. Report any employment gap to your DSO promptly.