Physics Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Physics professionals, especially those with graduate degrees, are strong candidates for U.S. visa sponsorship. Universities, national laboratories, defense contractors, and tech companies regularly sponsor H-1B visa and O-1 visas for physicists. Ph.D. holders can also pursue EB-1B (outstanding researcher) or EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver) green card pathways. Many positions start as J-1 visa postdocs at research institutions, so watch out for the two-year home residency requirement before transitioning to other visa types. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.

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Overview

Open Jobs28,697+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type97% On-site
Median Salary$153K
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsFOX Rehabilitation

Showing 5 of 28,697+ Physics jobs

Liberty University
Physics Residential Adjunct
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Liberty University
New 1h ago
Physics Residential Adjunct
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Teaching & Instruction
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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First Solar
Intern- Reliability Physics
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First Solar
Added 2d ago
Intern- Reliability Physics
First Solar
Perrysburg, Ohio
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Laboratory Research
Engineering (Non-Software)
$18/hr - $25/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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SCHREINER UNIVERSITY
Teaching Fellow of Physics
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SCHREINER UNIVERSITY
Added 2d ago
Teaching Fellow of Physics
SCHREINER UNIVERSITY
Kerrville, Texas
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
Higher Education
On-Site
Master's
201-500

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UniFirst
Health Physics Technician
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UniFirst
Added 4d ago
Health Physics Technician
UniFirst
Morris, Illinois
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Environmental Science
Laboratory Science
$22/hr - $28/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Weber State University
Advanced Physics Lab Aide
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Weber State University
Added 6d ago
Advanced Physics Lab Aide
Weber State University
Ogden, Utah
Laboratory Research
$15.00/hr
On-Site
Associate's
1,001-5,000

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Tips for Finding Physics Jobs

Target DOE national laboratories for cap-exempt positions

Laboratories like Fermilab, Brookhaven, Lawrence Livermore, and SLAC are operated by universities or nonprofit entities, making their H-1B petitions cap-exempt. Physicists can file year-round without lottery risk, and these labs offer world-class research facilities.

Explore the growing quantum computing sector

Companies like IBM, Google, IonQ, Rigetti, and PsiQuantum are hiring physicists for quantum hardware and algorithm development. This emerging field has a severe talent shortage, which can make employers more willing to sponsor visas for qualified candidates with expertise in quantum mechanics or condensed matter physics.

Understand security clearance limitations before applying

Many physics-related roles in defense and national security require a U.S. security clearance, which is generally limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Focus your search on fundamental research positions, commercial R&D, or university labs where clearance is not required.

Build a strong publication and citation record for extraordinary ability claims

Physics journals like Physical Review Letters and Nature Physics are highly regarded. A strong publication record with meaningful citations can qualify you for O-1A or EB-1A petitions, which bypass the H-1B lottery and provide a faster path to permanent residency.

Consider semiconductor and photonics companies for applied roles

Intel, Applied Materials, TSMC (U.S. operations), Lam Research, and KLA hire physicists for process development, materials characterization, and device engineering. The CHIPS Act is driving significant investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, increasing demand for physics expertise.

Physics jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What visa sponsorship options exist for physicists in the U.S.?

Physicists can access H-1B visas for specialty occupation roles, with university and national laboratory positions being cap-exempt. The O-1A visa is available for physicists with extraordinary ability demonstrated through publications, awards, and peer recognition. For permanent residency, EB-1A and EB-2 NIW are strong options, particularly for theoretical or experimental physicists with significant research contributions.

Do Department of Energy national labs sponsor visas for physicists?

Yes, DOE national laboratories like Fermilab, Brookhaven, SLAC, and Argonne regularly sponsor H-1B visas for physicists. Many of these labs are operated by universities or nonprofit organizations, making their H-1B petitions cap-exempt. However, some positions at national labs require security clearances that may only be available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

How to find Physics jobs with visa sponsorship?

To find Physics jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on research institutions, national laboratories, aerospace companies, and tech firms that commonly hire physicists on H-1B, O-1, or EB-2 visas. Filter searches by sponsorship availability and target organizations with established international hiring programs.

Can I work in the U.S. defense or aerospace sector as an international physicist?

Some positions are available, but access is limited by export control regulations (ITAR and EAR) and security clearance requirements. Many defense contractors require U.S. citizenship for classified work. However, roles in fundamental research at university labs or non-classified R&D at companies like Boeing or Lockheed Martin may be accessible to H-1B holders.

Are applied physics roles in the tech industry sponsored?

Yes, companies in the semiconductor, quantum computing, and photonics sectors hire physicists for applied research and development. Employers like Intel, IBM, Applied Materials, and quantum computing startups sponsor H-1B visas for physicists working on hardware development, materials science, and device physics.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Physics jobs?

When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a physics in Texas will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.

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