Top 10 U.S. Cities With the Most F-1 OPT Jobs

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

The U.S. cities with the most F-1 OPT jobs are led by New York, Houston, and Boston, the metros with the highest concentration of live F-1 OPT openings. Migrate Mate is tracking 20,216 live F-1 OPT jobs across these 10 metros as of September 13, 2026, updated daily. F-1 OPT is your own work authorization, so the role only needs to relate to your field of study.

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Which U.S. cities have the most F-1 OPT jobs?

Ranked by live F-1 OPT jobs in each metro on Migrate Mate, updated daily

Editor’s note

How this list is ranked

These metros are ranked by how many F-1 OPT jobs are live on Migrate Mate right now, so the list reflects where F-1 OPT hiring is concentrated today rather than historical government filings. Counts change daily. A larger metro means more employers and more openings to work through, but confirm the specific role fits and that you are eligible before you apply.

  1. 01

    New York, New York

    New York leads with 3,741 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any metro on this list.

    F-1 OPT hiring in New York concentrates in Project & Program Management, Business Development, and Data Science & Analytics roles, with employers like NYU Langone Health, JPMorganChase, and Amazon.com posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Project & Program Management
    • Business Development
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Nursing
    • Consulting & Strategy
    Open F-1 OPT roles in New York
    Director of Front Office
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Practice Operations Supervisor I
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Analyst
    New York, New York · Hybrid
    Apply
    Cyber Strategy - Senior - Consulting
    New York, New York · Hybrid
    Apply
    Cyber - Enterprise Security Architect - Senior - Consulting
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    See all 3,741 F-1 OPT jobs in New York
  2. 02

    Houston, Texas

    Houston has 2,380 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Houston concentrates in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, and Project & Program Management roles, with employers like Houston Methodist, UTHealth Houston, and Spring Independent School District posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Project & Program Management
    • Science & Research
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Houston
    5th Grade Elementary School Teacher
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Adaptive Behavior Teacher
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Marketing & Business Development Senior Coordinator
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Lead Project Manager
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Associate Director Corporate Engagement
    Houston, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 2,380 F-1 OPT jobs in Houston
  3. 03

    Boston, Massachusetts

    Boston lists 2,135 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Boston concentrates in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, and Science & Research roles, with employers like Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston University posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Science & Research
    • Project & Program Management
    • Allied Health
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Boston
    Clinical Research Coordinator II
    Boston, Massachusetts · Hybrid
    Apply
    Physician Assistant
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Learning & Event Technology Specialist II
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Compensation Senior Analyst
    Boston, Massachusetts · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 2,135 F-1 OPT jobs in Boston

  4. Unlock every F-1 OPT job in these cities

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  5. 04

    Austin, Texas

    There are 2,050 live F-1 OPT jobs in Austin on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Austin concentrates in Engineering (Non-Software), Project & Program Management, and Nursing roles, with employers like Apple, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and St. David's HealthCare posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Project & Program Management
    • Nursing
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Software Engineering
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Austin
    Registered Nurse Vaccine Administrator
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Sales Representative
    Austin, Texas · Remote
    Apply
    Assistant Category Manager
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    CPU PD Implementation Engineer
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Departmental Buyer
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 2,050 F-1 OPT jobs in Austin
  6. 05

    Chicago, Illinois

    Chicago shows 2,038 open F-1 OPT roles on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Chicago concentrates in Project & Program Management, Business Development, and Nursing roles, with employers like Chicago Public Schools, Rush University Medical Center, and Capgemini posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Project & Program Management
    • Business Development
    • Nursing
    • Consulting & Strategy
    • Healthcare Administration
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Chicago
    Skincare Associate Brand Manager
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Program Manager
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Project Financial Controls Specialist
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Assurance Senior, Third Party Attestation
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Licensed Clinical Social Worker
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    See all 2,038 F-1 OPT jobs in Chicago
  7. 06

    Dallas, Texas

    Dallas has 1,836 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Dallas concentrates in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, and Project & Program Management roles, with employers like UT Southwestern Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, and Dallas County posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Project & Program Management
    • Science & Research
    • Business Development
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Dallas
    Consultant, Principal
    Dallas, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Superintendent
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Life Skills Special Education Teacher
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Pediatric Psych Registered Nurse
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Graduate Medical Education Institutional Coordinator
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 1,836 F-1 OPT jobs in Dallas
  8. 07

    Atlanta, Georgia

    Atlanta lists 1,692 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Atlanta concentrates in Project & Program Management, Nursing, and Healthcare Administration roles, with employers like Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, and Piedmont Healthcare posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Project & Program Management
    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Business Development
    • Business Analysis
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Atlanta
    Regional Operations Manager
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Strategy & Transformation Consultant
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Director of Admission, Financial Aid and Student Services
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor - Cardiothoracic
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    MFG LAB TECH
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    See all 1,692 F-1 OPT jobs in Atlanta

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

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  10. 08

    Charlotte, North Carolina

    There are 1,507 live F-1 OPT jobs in Charlotte on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Charlotte concentrates in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, and Teaching & Instruction roles, with employers like Advocate Health, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and Novant Health posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Teaching & Instruction
    • Project & Program Management
    • Allied Health
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Charlotte
    Branch Leader
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    Cardiovascular & Electrophysiology Specialist
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    Registered Respiratory Therapist
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    Senior IAM Engineer
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Associate Business Operations & Strategy Consultant
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    See all 1,507 F-1 OPT jobs in Charlotte
  11. 09

    San Francisco, California

    San Francisco shows 1,467 open F-1 OPT roles on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in San Francisco concentrates in Project & Program Management, Data Science & Analytics, and Science & Research roles, with employers like University of California - San Francisco, University of California, San Francisco, and Anthropic posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Project & Program Management
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Science & Research
    • Software Engineering
    • Business Development
    Open F-1 OPT roles in San Francisco
    Embedded Engineer
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Technical Consultant
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Content Operations & Strategy Manager
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Project Manager II
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Billing Specialist I
    San Francisco, California · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 1,467 F-1 OPT jobs in San Francisco
  12. 10

    Los Angeles, California

    Los Angeles has 1,370 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Los Angeles concentrates in Project & Program Management, Nursing, and Healthcare Administration roles, with employers like UCLA Health, California State University, Los Angeles, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Project & Program Management
    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Business Development
    • Compliance & Legal
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Los Angeles
    Medical Student Coordinator
    Los Angeles, California · On-site
    Apply
    Health Science & Behavioral Research Associate III
    Los Angeles, California · Hybrid
    Apply
    Staff Research Associate 1
    Los Angeles, California · On-site
    Apply
    UX Researcher
    Los Angeles, California · On-site
    Apply
    Project Coordinator
    Los Angeles, California · On-site
    Apply
    See all 1,370 F-1 OPT jobs in Los Angeles

How F-1 OPT works

OPT is work authorization for F-1 students, not an employer-sponsored visa. The student applies through their school's international office (the DSO) and USCIS with Form I-765; the employer files nothing. The role must relate to the student's field of study. OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible degrees.

Related on Migrate Mate

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Top F-1 OPT Cities: Frequently Asked Questions

Which U.S. cities have the most F-1 OPT jobs?

New York leads, with 3,741 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Houston (2,380) and Boston (2,135). Across the 10 metros on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 20,216 live F-1 OPT jobs, updated daily.

Who is eligible for F-1 OPT?

F-1 OPT is available to international students who have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year at a SEVP-certified school, have a valid I-20, and are applying for work in a field directly related to their major. The student applies through their DSO and files Form I-765 with USCIS. OPT is student-initiated work authorization, the employer does not file anything.

Can my spouse or family work on F-1 OPT?

No. F-2 dependents, the spouse and children of an F-1 student, can accompany the student but are not authorized to work.

How does F-1 OPT compare to H-1B?

Unlike H-1B, F-1 OPT has no lottery, so selection is not a barrier. The trade-off is eligibility: H-1B is open to any specialty occupation worldwide, while F-1 OPT is limited to specific nationalities or roles. If you qualify for F-1 OPT, it is often the faster and more predictable route; if you do not, H-1B may be the only option.

How much does F-1 OPT cost?

F-1 OPT is student work authorization, so there is no employer sponsorship fee. The student pays the USCIS filing fee for the work-authorization application, plus any costs their school charges. Fee amounts change from time to time, so check the current figure before you rely on it.

How do I find a F-1 OPT job in these cities?

Search Migrate Mate for F-1 OPT openings in your target field, then apply directly to employers who are actively hiring OPT students. Roles listed by city include in-person, hybrid, and fully remote positions, so candidates based elsewhere can still target a high-concentration metro. To activate OPT, work with your DSO to update your I-20 and file Form I-765 before your program end date, the role must relate to your field of study.

Find 150,000+ F-1 OPT jobs