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

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

The U.S. cities with the most F-1 STEM OPT jobs are led by New York, Seattle, and Austin, the metros with the highest concentration of live F-1 STEM OPT openings. Migrate Mate is tracking 4,309 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs across these 10 metros as of October 28, 2026, updated daily. F-1 STEM 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 STEM OPT jobs?

Ranked by live F-1 STEM 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 STEM OPT jobs are live on Migrate Mate right now, so the list reflects where F-1 STEM 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 697 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any metro on this list.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in New York concentrates in Data Science & Analytics, Software Engineering, and Science & Research roles, with employers like Amazon.com, New York University, and JPMorganChase posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Software Engineering
    • Science & Research
    • Project & Program Management
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in New York
    Solutions Engineer
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Field Experience Application Support Lead
    New York, New York · Hybrid
    Apply
    Product Manager
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Field Service Engineer
    New York, New York · Remote
    Apply
    Market Data & Access Support Engineer
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    See all 697 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in New York
  2. 02

    Seattle, Washington

    Seattle has 540 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in Seattle concentrates in Software Engineering, Data Science & Analytics, and Cloud & DevOps roles, with employers like Amazon.com, TikTok, and Palantir Technologies posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Software Engineering
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Cloud & DevOps
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • AI & Machine Learning
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Seattle
    Document Control Specialist
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    Application Security Engineer
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    Research Associate I
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    Geologist
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    Sr Project Engineer
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    See all 540 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Seattle
  3. 03

    Austin, Texas

    Austin lists 477 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in Austin concentrates in Engineering (Non-Software), Software Engineering, and Data Science & Analytics roles, with employers like Amazon.com, The University of Texas at Austin, and Apple posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Software Engineering
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Project & Program Management
    • Technical Program Management
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Austin
    Software Development Engineer II
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    System Architect
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Data Analyst
    Austin, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Data Scientist
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Graduate Engineer B
    Austin, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 477 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Austin

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

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  5. 04

    Boston, Massachusetts

    There are 414 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Boston on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in Boston concentrates in Science & Research, Data Science & Analytics, and Engineering (Non-Software) roles, with employers like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston University, and Boston Medical Center posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Science & Research
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Project & Program Management
    • Software Engineering
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Boston
    Associate, Business Systems Analyst
    Boston, Massachusetts · Hybrid
    Apply
    Civil Engineer I
    Boston, Massachusetts · Hybrid
    Apply
    Engineer III
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Research Fellow
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Research Fellow
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    See all 414 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Boston
  6. 05

    Houston, Texas

    Houston shows 406 open F-1 STEM OPT roles on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in Houston concentrates in Engineering (Non-Software), Science & Research, and Project & Program Management roles, with employers like MD Anderson Cancer Center, Rice University, and NOV posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Science & Research
    • Project & Program Management
    • Civil & Structural Engineering
    • Data Science & Analytics
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Houston
    Pathologists' Assistant
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Research Investigator
    Houston, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Structural Engineer
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Associate Structural Engineer
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    IATF Lead Auditor
    Houston, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 406 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Houston
  7. 06

    San Francisco, California

    San Francisco has 373 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

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

    Roles hiring now

    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Software Engineering
    • Science & Research
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • AI & Machine Learning
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in San Francisco
    Design Technology Lead
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Full Stack Engineer
    San Francisco, California · Remote
    Apply
    Senior Strategic Operations Associate
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Analyst, Topline Finance Analytics
    San Francisco, California · Hybrid
    Apply
    Intelligence Analyst
    San Francisco, California · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all 373 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in San Francisco
  8. 07

    San Jose, California

    San Jose lists 369 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in San Jose concentrates in Data Science & Analytics, Engineering (Non-Software), and Software Engineering roles, with employers like TikTok, TikTok USDS Joint Venture, and Advantest posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Software Engineering
    • AI & Machine Learning
    • Electrical Engineering
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in San Jose
    Design Technology Lead
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    AI Technical Product Manager
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    ASIC DFT Engineer
    San Jose, California · Hybrid
    Apply
    Hardware Applications Engineer
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Lab Pack Chemist
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    See all 369 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in San Jose

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

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  10. 08

    Atlanta, Georgia

    There are 358 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Atlanta on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in Atlanta concentrates in Science & Research, Engineering (Non-Software), and Data Science & Analytics roles, with employers like Emory University, 4P Consulting Inc., and Fortinet posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Science & Research
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Project & Program Management
    • Civil & Structural Engineering
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Atlanta
    Software Support Engineer
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Business Analyst
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Helpdesk Technician I
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Data Analytics Specialist
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    Environmental Engineer or Scientist
    Atlanta, Georgia · On-site
    Apply
    See all 358 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Atlanta
  11. 09

    Chicago, Illinois

    Chicago shows 338 open F-1 STEM OPT roles on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in Chicago concentrates in Engineering (Non-Software), Data Science & Analytics, and Project & Program Management roles, with employers like Burns & McDonnell, The University of Chicago, and Rush University Medical Center posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Project & Program Management
    • Science & Research
    • Civil & Structural Engineering
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Chicago
    Lead ICT Design Engineer
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Technical Support Analyst
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Business Systems Analyst
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Staff Scientist
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Solutions Engineer
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    See all 338 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Chicago
  12. 10

    Dallas, Texas

    Dallas has 337 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in Dallas concentrates in Engineering (Non-Software), Science & Research, and Project & Program Management roles, with employers like UT Southwestern Medical Center, WSP, and Garver posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Science & Research
    • Project & Program Management
    • Civil & Structural Engineering
    • Software Engineering
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Dallas
    Senior Project Engineer
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Project Engineer
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Technology Resilience Analyst II
    Dallas, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Sr. Cloud Applications Developer
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Data & Analytics Business Partner
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 337 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Dallas

How F-1 STEM OPT works

STEM OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT for students with an eligible STEM degree. The student applies through their DSO and USCIS; the employer does not file a petition but must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan. The role must relate to the STEM degree, and pay must be commensurate with similarly situated U.S. workers.

Related on Migrate Mate

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Top F-1 STEM OPT Cities: Frequently Asked Questions

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

New York leads, with 697 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Seattle (540) and Austin (477). Across the 10 metros on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 4,309 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs, updated daily.

Who is eligible for F-1 STEM OPT?

F-1 STEM OPT eligibility requires an active F-1 status, completion of an initial 12-month OPT period, and a degree in a STEM-designated field recognized by your DSO. Your new role must directly relate to that degree's CIP code. The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan. You file Form I-765 through your DSO up to 90 days before your current EAD expires.

Can my spouse or family work on F-1 STEM 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 STEM OPT compare to H-1B?

Unlike H-1B, F-1 STEM 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 STEM OPT is limited to specific nationalities or roles. If you qualify for F-1 STEM 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 STEM OPT cost?

F-1 STEM 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 STEM OPT job in these cities?

To find a F-1 STEM OPT job, search Migrate Mate for roles at E-Verify-enrolled employers, which is the core requirement for STEM OPT authorization. Roles are concentrated in the top metros but many employers hire remotely or support relocation. Confirm the position directly relates to your STEM-designated degree before accepting an offer, since your DSO must approve the Form I-983 training plan before you can start.

Find 24,000+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs