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

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated October 28, 2026 · 4 min read

The U.S. cities with the most F-1 OPT jobs are led by New York, Boston, and Houston, the metros with the highest concentration of live F-1 OPT openings. Migrate Mate is tracking 17,548 live F-1 OPT jobs across these 10 metros as of October 28, 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 3,282 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, New York University, and JPMorganChase posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Project & Program Management
    • Business Development
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Consulting & Strategy
    • Accounting
    Open F-1 OPT roles in New York
    Accounting Manager
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Solutions Engineer
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    AI & Machine Learning Engineering Consultant
    New York, New York · Hybrid
    Apply
    Development Assistant
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Associate - Consultant
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    See all 3,282 F-1 OPT jobs in New York
  2. 02

    Boston, Massachusetts

    Boston has 2,153 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
    Quality Control Operations Analyst
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Lead Inpatient Administrative Coordinator
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Medical Lab Scientist I
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Medical Laboratory Scientist II
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Research Nurse Heme Malignancy Float
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    See all 2,153 F-1 OPT jobs in Boston
  3. 03

    Houston, Texas

    Houston lists 2,065 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
    Project Manager I
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Research Assistant I/II/III
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Project Manager
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Employee Benefits Analyst II
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Account Manager
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 2,065 F-1 OPT jobs in Houston

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

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  5. 04

    Chicago, Illinois

    There are 1,813 live F-1 OPT jobs in Chicago 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 The University of Chicago posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Project & Program Management
    • Business Development
    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Consulting & Strategy
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Chicago
    Technical Training Specialist
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Lead ICT Design Engineer
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Client Support Team Lead
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Assistant Director of Recruitment
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Medical Social Consultant
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 1,813 F-1 OPT jobs in Chicago
  6. 05

    Atlanta, Georgia

    Atlanta shows 1,644 open F-1 OPT roles on Migrate Mate.

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

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Project & Program Management
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Business Development
    • Science & Research
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Atlanta
    Technology Installer
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    HR Business Partner
    Atlanta, Georgia · Hybrid
    Apply
    Editor
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Brokerage Registered Client Service Associate
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Software Support Engineer
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    See all 1,644 F-1 OPT jobs in Atlanta
  7. 06

    Dallas, Texas

    Dallas has 1,506 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

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

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Project & Program Management
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Compliance & Legal
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Dallas
    Physical Therapist
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Advanced Practice Provider
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Project Engineer
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Project Engineer
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Maternal Fetal Medicine Sonographer
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 1,506 F-1 OPT jobs in Dallas
  8. 07

    Austin, Texas

    Austin lists 1,449 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Austin concentrates in Nursing, Engineering (Non-Software), and Project & Program Management roles, with employers like St. David's HealthCare, Amazon.com, and Ascension posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Project & Program Management
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Business Development
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Austin
    Retail Manager
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Estimator - Heavy Civil Construction
    Austin, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Software Development Engineer II
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Business Development Consultant
    Austin, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Staff Accountant
    Austin, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 1,449 F-1 OPT jobs in Austin

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

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  10. 08

    Charlotte, North Carolina

    There are 1,224 live F-1 OPT jobs in Charlotte on Migrate Mate.

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

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Project & Program Management
    • Allied Health
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Charlotte
    Scheduler
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    CCB Analyst II
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    Software Engineer
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Associate, Field Supervision Manager
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    RN Clinical Coordinator
    Charlotte, North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    See all 1,224 F-1 OPT jobs in Charlotte
  11. 09

    Los Angeles, California

    Los Angeles shows 1,222 open F-1 OPT roles on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Los Angeles concentrates in Nursing, Project & Program Management, and Healthcare Administration roles, with employers like UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and California State University, Los Angeles posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Project & Program Management
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Business Development
    • Compliance & Legal
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Los Angeles
    Multi-Fellowship Coordinator
    Los Angeles, California · On-site
    Apply
    Student Personnel Officer
    Los Angeles, California · On-site
    Apply
    Field Service Onsite Relationship Specialist
    Los Angeles, California · On-site
    Apply
    Analyst, Real Estate Asset Management
    Los Angeles, California · On-site
    Apply
    Income & Franchise Tax Senior Associate
    Los Angeles, California · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 1,222 F-1 OPT jobs in Los Angeles
  12. 10

    Phoenix, Arizona

    Phoenix has 1,190 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 OPT hiring in Phoenix concentrates in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, and Project & Program Management roles, with employers like Banner Health, Paradise Valley Unified School District, and TSMC posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Nursing
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Project & Program Management
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Teaching & Instruction
    Open F-1 OPT roles in Phoenix
    Account Manager
    Phoenix, Arizona · Hybrid
    Apply
    Supervisor Project Support
    Phoenix, Arizona · Hybrid
    Apply
    Accounting Consultant
    Phoenix, Arizona · Hybrid
    Apply
    Registered Nurse
    Phoenix, Arizona · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Research Regulatory Affairs Associate
    Phoenix, Arizona · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 1,190 F-1 OPT jobs in Phoenix

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 3,282 live F-1 OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Boston (2,153) and Houston (2,065). Across the 10 metros on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 17,548 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 140,000+ F-1 OPT jobs