Skilled immigrants have long sought career growth and higher wages in the United States. In the U.S., many multinational companies actively recruit and compensate immigrant workers competitively, especially in industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, and engineering.
Foreign workers can find jobs with these employers by researching some of the top companies paying immigrants the most in this article.
Top Industries Offering High Salaries to Immigrants
There are certain industries in the U.S. known for paying high salaries to immigrant workers. A few of these are:
1. Technology
For immigrants, the technology sector is one of the most lucrative. Companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple actively seek international talent with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
A large number of immigrants who work in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and AI research earn six-figure salaries, along with stock options and bonuses.
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Top Roles: Computer Science, Data Science, Cloud Architect, AI/ML Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst
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Average Salaries: $120,000 – $250,000 per year
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Visa Sponsorships: H-1B, L-1, O-1, and Green Card programs
2. Finance
Immigrants who work in investment banks, hedge funds, or financial technology companies (fintech) earn high salaries. In quantitative finance, risk management, and investment analysis, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Citadel hire foreign workers.
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Top Roles: Investment Banker, Quantitative Analyst, Financial Risk Manager, Portfolio Manager
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Average Salaries: $120,000 – $250,000 per year
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Visa Sponsorships: H-1B, L-1, TN (for Canadian and Mexican professionals)
3. Healthcare
Immigrant professionals are heavily involved in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly doctors, surgeons, pharmacists, and medical researchers. Pharmaceutical companies, such as Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, offer competitive salaries and benefits to international medical experts.
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Top Roles: Physician, Surgeon, Pharmacist, Medical Researcher, Healthcare Administrator
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Average Salaries: $100,000 – $300,000 per year
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Visa Sponsorships: J-1, H-1B, O-1, Green Card through National Interest Waiver (NIW)
4. Engineering
Engineering remains a high-demand field for immigrants in fields such as aerospace, mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering. A number of companies sponsor visas for skilled engineers, including Tesla, Boeing, and Intel.
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Top Roles: Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer
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Average Salaries: $90,000 – $180,000 per year
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Visa Sponsorships: H-1B, L-1, O-1
5. Legal and Consulting Services
Many top consulting firms hire highly educated immigrants with expertise in business strategy, law, and finance, such as McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Deloitte.
Law firms specializing in international law and intellectual property also offer lucrative opportunities for foreign lawyers.
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Top Roles: Management Consultant, Corporate Lawyer, Legal Advisor, Business Analyst
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Average Salaries: $120,000 – $220,000 per year
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Visa Sponsorships: H-1B, TN, L-1
Top U.S. Companies That Pay Immigrants Well
1. Google
Alphabet Inc.’s Google is a leading employer of international talent. Each year, the company sponsors thousands of H-1B visas and Green Cards for engineering and data science positions.
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Average Salary for Immigrants: $150,000 – $200,000 (Software Engineers, Data Scientists)
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Top Visa Programs: H-1B, O-1, and Green Card sponsorship
2. Microsoft
A major sponsor of H-1B visas in the United States, Microsoft is committed to hiring global talent.
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Average Salary for Immigrants: $140,000 – $180,000
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In-Demand Roles: Cloud Computing, AI Research, Software Development
3. Amazon
AWS employs thousands of foreign workers across its corporate, logistics, and cloud computing divisions (AWS).
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Average Salary for Immigrants: $120,000 – $160,000
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Common Job Titles: Software Engineer, Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer
4. Apple
Among the top-paying companies, Apple is one of the best in terms of technology and design talent, especially from international countries.
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Average Salary for Immigrants: $130,000 – $190,000
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Key Areas: Hardware Engineering, Software Development, AI, UX Design
5. Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)
Meta is a top employer of highly skilled immigrants, especially in the fields of artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
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Average Salary for Immigrants: $150,000 – $220,000
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Most Sponsored Visas: H-1B, L-1, and Green Card programs
6. Goldman Sachs
Immigrant professionals are a major part of Goldman Sachs’ investment banking and asset management teams.
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Average Salary for Immigrants: $120,000 – $250,000
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Common Job Titles: Investment Analyst, Quantitative Researcher, Portfolio Manager
7. Tesla
The company actively hires international engineers, software developers, and automation specialists.
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Average Salary for Immigrants: $110,000 – $180,000
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Top Areas: Mechanical Engineering, AI, Autonomous Vehicles, Battery Research
How to Secure a High-Paying Job as an Immigrant in the U.S.
Getting a high-paying job as an immigrant in the U.S. requires a strategic approach, from acquiring the right skills to networking with industry professionals. Here are a few steps you can take to land a well-paying job in the United States.
1. Research Companies That Sponsor Work Visas
Identifying companies that actively sponsor work visas, such as H-1B, O-1, L-1, and employment-based green cards, is important because not all U.S. companies hire immigrants.
How to Find Sponsoring Companies:
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You can find companies that sponsor work visas frequently using databases such as MyVisaJobs and H1BGrader.
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Check the U.S. Department of Labor’s PERM database for green card sponsorship applications.
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Research job postings on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor by searching for roles that mention “visa sponsorship available.”
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The tech giants (Google, Microsoft, Amazon), consulting firms (McKinsey, Deloitte), and healthcare companies (Mayo Clinic, Pfizer) are known for hiring immigrants.
2. Enhance Your Skillset
As the U.S. job market is highly competitive, having in-demand skills will increase your chances of landing a high-paying job. Consider fields with a shortage of talent, such as:
- Technology – Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering
- Finance – Quantitative Analysis, Investment Banking, Financial Risk Management
- Healthcare – Physicians, Pharmacists, Medical Researchers
- Engineering – Aerospace, Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering
- Legal & Consulting – Corporate Law, Business Strategy, Intellectual Property Law
Ways to Improve Your Skills
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Become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Cloud Computing), CFA (Finance), or PMP (Project Management).
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You can enroll in specialized courses through platforms like Coursera, Udacity, or LinkedIn Learning.
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You can gain real-world experience by working on real-world projects, interning, or freelancing.
3. Build a Strong Resume and LinkedIn Profile
If you have a well-structured resume and an impressive LinkedIn profile, you will be more likely to get noticed by recruiters.
Resume Tips:
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Utilize keywords from the job description in your resume to tailor it to each position.
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List your achievements rather than just your responsibilities.
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Indicate metrics (e.g., “Increased sales by 30%” or “Developed software used by 10,000+ users”).
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Use a professional format and keep it short (1-2 pages).
LinkedIn Profile Tips:
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Craft a compelling summary and include a professional headshot.
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You should add skills and certifications that are relevant to your field.
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Follow target companies and engage with industry content.
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Turn on the “Open to Work” feature for recruiters.
4. Network with Industry Professionals
In the U.S., networking is a great way to land a job, since many roles are filled by referrals.
Where to Network:
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LinkedIn: Contact professionals in your field by sending personalized connection requests.
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Industry Events & Conferences: Take part in events such as AWS re:Invent (tech), CFA Institute’s conferences (finance), or HIMSS (healthcare IT).
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Meetups & Local Groups: Join Meetup.com groups related to your profession.
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Alumni Networks: Connect with alumni from your university who are working in the U.S.
5. Apply to Jobs Early and Strategically
It is common for companies to begin hiring several months ahead of time, especially in the case of visa-sponsored positions. Apply at least 6-12 months before you plan to move to the U.S.
Where to Apply:
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Company Career Pages – Many recruiters prefer direct applications.
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Job Boards – LinkedIn Jobs, Glassdoor, Indeed, and AngelList (for startups).
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Recruitment Agencies – Robert Half, Michael Page, and TEKsystems specialize in placing skilled professionals.
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H-1B Specific Sites – MyVisaJobs, USponsorme, and Path to H-1B help international candidates.
6. Prepare for Technical and Behavioral Interviews
It is common for high-paying jobs to require rigorous interviews, including technical assessments and behavioral tests.
How to Prepare for Technical Interviews:
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Software Engineering: Practice coding problems on LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal.
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Finance: Review valuation, financial modeling, and market trends.
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Consulting: Prepare for case interviews (e.g., McKinsey’s case study process).
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Healthcare: Study clinical scenarios and medical ethics for U.S. healthcare exams.
How to Prepare for Behavioral Interviews (STAR Method):
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Situation: Describe a problem or challenge.
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Task: Explain your role in solving it.
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Action: Detail the steps you took.
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Result: Share the outcome with measurable success.
7. Leverage Internship Opportunities
Internships are a common way for immigrants to land full-time positions in the U.S., especially in technology, finance, and healthcare.
How to Find Internships:
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Apply through company portals and job boards like LinkedIn, WayUp, and Internships.com.
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Use Optional Practical Training (OPT) if you’re an international student in the U.S.
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Network with professionals who can refer you for internships.
8. Understand the Visa and Green Card Process
It is essential for immigrants seeking employment in the United States to have a visa sponsor. By understanding the process, you will be able to target companies that support work visas.
Common Work Visas:
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H-1B (Specialty Occupations): For skilled professionals (tech, finance, engineering).
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O-1 (Extraordinary Ability): For individuals with outstanding achievements.
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L-1 (Intra-Company Transfer): For employees transferring within a multinational company.
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TN (NAFTA Professionals): For Canadian and Mexican professionals.
Green Card Sponsorship:
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Some companies sponsor Employment-Based Green Cards (EB-2, EB-3) for skilled workers.
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If you have exceptional skills, you may qualify for a National Interest Waiver (NIW), which allows you to apply for a green card without employer sponsorship.
9. Be Open to Relocation
There are more job opportunities for immigrants in some states and cities. Among the major tech and finance hubs are:
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San Francisco & Silicon Valley (CA) – Tech industry
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New York City (NY) – Finance, consulting, and law
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Seattle (WA) – Tech and engineering (Amazon, Microsoft)
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Austin (TX) – Startups and software development
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Boston (MA) – Healthcare, biotech, and research
10. Stay Persistent and Adapt
In order to succeed in the job search process, persistence is crucial. Keep improving your skills, networking, and applying strategically if you are rejected.
What to Do If You Don’t Get Hired Immediately:
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While applying for full-time jobs, consider contract work or remote work.
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By freelancing or working in your home country, you can gain more experience.
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Boost your credentials by taking short-term certification courses.
Conclusion
Immigrants can find high-paying jobs in the U.S. by conducting thorough research, developing their skills, networking, and planning their visas in advance.
To increase your chances of success, target visa-friendly companies, refine your application strategy, and prepare for competitive interviews.