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

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

The U.S. cities with the most F-1 STEM OPT jobs are led by Austin, New York, and Seattle, the metros with the highest concentration of live F-1 STEM OPT openings. Migrate Mate is tracking 5,130 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs across these 10 metros as of September 13, 2026, updated daily. F-1 STEM OPT is your own work authorization, so the role only needs to relate to your field of study.

Find 27,000+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs

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

    Austin, Texas

    Austin leads with 863 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any metro on this list.

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

    Roles hiring now

    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Software Engineering
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Austin
    CPU PD Implementation Engineer
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Geotechnical Staff Engineer
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Field Geophysicist
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Data Analyst
    Austin, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Business Analyst
    Austin, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 863 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Austin
  2. 02

    New York, New York

    New York has 804 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in New York concentrates in Data Science & Analytics, Software Engineering, and Science & Research roles, with employers like Amazon.com, NYU Langone Health, 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
    Sales Operations Analyst II
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Coordinator, Product Development
    New York, New York · Hybrid
    Apply
    Associate Field Engineer
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Applied Scientist
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Gastroesophageal Cancer Investigator
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    See all 804 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in New York
  3. 03

    Seattle, Washington

    Seattle lists 633 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 Apple posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Software Engineering
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Cloud & DevOps
    • AI & Machine Learning
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Seattle
    Design Verification Engineer
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    Software Dev Engineer II
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    Technical Infrastructure Program Manager I
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    Data Engineer
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    Architecture Job Captain
    Seattle, Washington · On-site
    Apply
    See all 633 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Seattle

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

    Find 27,000+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs
  5. 04

    San Francisco, California

    There are 452 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs in San Francisco 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 Anthropic, University of California, San Francisco, and Genentech 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
    Embedded Engineer
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Scientist 3
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Trials Manager I
    San Francisco, California · Hybrid
    Apply
    Staff Geotechnical Engineer
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    Environmental Program Manager
    San Francisco, California · On-site
    Apply
    See all 452 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in San Francisco
  6. 05

    Boston, Massachusetts

    Boston shows 426 open F-1 STEM OPT roles 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)
    • Software Engineering
    • Project & Program Management
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Boston
    Learning & Event Technology Specialist II
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    GMP Operational Quality Sr. Specialist
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Strategy Analyst
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Scientist, Molecular Interactions
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Research Coordinator
    Boston, Massachusetts · On-site
    Apply
    See all 426 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Boston
  7. 06

    San Jose, California

    San Jose has 411 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, ByteDance, and Apple 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
    Senior Project Engineer
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    Staff Professional II
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    Deskside Support Engineer
    San Jose, California · Remote
    Apply
    Product Manager
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    Scientist
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    See all 411 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in San Jose
  8. 07

    Dallas, Texas

    Dallas lists 411 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

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

    Roles hiring now

    • Science & Research
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Project & Program Management
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Civil & Structural Engineering
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Dallas
    Research Assistant I
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Injection Mold Design Engineer
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Systems Analyst
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Software Engineer 2
    Dallas, Texas · Hybrid
    Apply
    Solution Engineer
    Dallas, Texas · Remote
    Apply
    See all 411 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Dallas

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

    Find 27,000+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs
  10. 08

    Houston, Texas

    There are 399 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Houston 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, Kinder Morgan, 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
    Lead Project Manager
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Fellow
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Specialist - Operational Technology
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Research Assistant I
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Research Laboratory Technician
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 399 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Houston
  11. 09

    Chicago, Illinois

    Chicago shows 381 open F-1 STEM OPT roles on Migrate Mate.

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

    Roles hiring now

    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Project & Program Management
    • Science & Research
    • Software Engineering
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Chicago
    Product Technology M&A Senior Associate
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Software Engineer
    Chicago, Illinois · Remote
    Apply
    UX Researcher
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Data and AI Forward Deployed Engineer
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Sr. Biostatistician
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    See all 381 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Chicago
  12. 10

    Cupertino, California

    Cupertino has 350 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate.

    F-1 STEM OPT hiring in Cupertino concentrates in Engineering (Non-Software), Software Engineering, and Data Science & Analytics roles, with employers like Apple, Amazon.com, and Amazon Web Services posting openings now.

    Roles hiring now

    • Engineering (Non-Software)
    • Software Engineering
    • Data Science & Analytics
    • Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering
    • AI & Machine Learning
    Open F-1 STEM OPT roles in Cupertino
    Silicon Validation Engineer
    Cupertino, California · On-site
    Apply
    Screening & Integration Engineer
    Cupertino, California · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer
    Cupertino, California · On-site
    Apply
    Software Engineer
    Cupertino, California · On-site
    Apply
    Hardware Reliability Engineer
    Cupertino, California · On-site
    Apply
    See all 350 F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Cupertino

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

Ready to apply for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?

Sign up free to unlock every F-1 STEM OPT job from these sponsors and thousands more, filter by role and location, and apply in a few clicks.

Find 27,000+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs

Top F-1 STEM OPT Cities: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Austin leads, with 863 live F-1 STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by New York (804) and Seattle (633). Across the 10 metros on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 5,130 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 27,000+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs