Planning to work in the USA? Find out what employment opportunities are available for foreigners in 2025: current work visas, popular industries, average salaries, regional differences and tips for expats

For many expats, working in the US is a chance for career growth, higher incomes and professional development.

As of June 2025, about 51.9 million immigrants lived in the US (≈15.4% of the population), and approximately 31.7 million foreign workers were employed in the labor market - so foreigners remain an important part of the US economy.

America provides foreigners with a wide range of employment opportunities in a multicultural work environment. Representatives of different countries of the world work here, including citizens of Turkmenistan, Moldova and the Bahamas. However, before starting a career here, it is worth studying the available options in detail.

What are the job opportunities in the US for foreigners? Details in our material.

What visas are needed to work in the US in 2025?

The practical possibility of working in the US often depends on the type of visa or immigration procedure. Main categories of work visas in the USA:

Part-time/temporary work visas

- H-1B – for specialists in specific professions (IT, engineering, medicine, etc.); allows temporary work under employer sponsorship (number of quotas and rules – subject to change).

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to change the H-1B lottery, giving preference to highly skilled and highly paid workers. The innovations include a four-tier selection system and a new $100,000 fee for some petitions. Read here how this will affect companies, candidates and the upcoming H-1B lottery in 2027.

- H-2A/H-2B – seasonal and temporary visas for agricultural and some other temporary workers.

- L, O, TN – intra-corporate, for outstanding specialists or under special agreements (e.g. NAFTA/USMCA for Canadians/Mexicans).

Immigration categories (immigration through work)

- EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 – work immigration categories (for outstanding scientists, specialists with higher education, skilled workers). The process can lead to obtaining a green card.

From October 16, 2025, the USA will introduce a new fee of $1 for all participants in the green card lottery (Diversity Visa). Read here why it was introduced, how it will affect applicants and what to consider before participating in DV-2027

Separate paths

- Student visa (F-1) with CPT/OPT – allows students to work temporarily after/during their studies.

- Professional exchange programs (J-1), talent visas (O-1), etc.

A complete list of work visas to the USA and the procedure for obtaining them is in this article.

Want to work in the USA, but don't know where to start?

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- choose the right work visa,

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The most popular industries among foreigners in the USA

- Technology (IT, AI, cybersecurity, software development) - high demand for engineers, data scientists, ML/AI specialists; salaries are competitive, but proven skills and experience are required.

- Healthcare - doctors, registered nurses (RN), pharmacists, technicians; demand is highly localized by state and hospital. Median annual salary for RNs (May 2024) is about $93,600.

- Logistics and transportation – drivers, warehouse specialists, supply chain operations.

- Construction and agriculture – high demand for salaried workers; a significant proportion of agricultural workers are foreign-born (the proportion varies significantly; in some subsectors, a large proportion of undocumented workers).

- Hospitality and retail – many entry-level positions; pay depends on the state and the availability of tips.

To obtain a work visa to the USA, a foreigner must have a job offer, but there are exceptions when you can get the right to move without first finding an employer. We have already told you which visa categories give an expat the right to enter without an invitation.

Average salary in the United States in 2025

As of October 2025, the average (median) salary in the United States of America is about $ 62,000 per year or $ 1,194 per week for full-time workers.

Over the past year, the figure has increased by almost 4%, which indicates stable growth in the labor market even despite inflationary pressures.

According to official data, the average hourly rate in the private sector is $ 35.17 (August 2025).

What determines the level of salary in the United States?

Earnings vary significantly depending on the state, level of education and field of activity:

- Technology sector (IT) – from $95,000 to $160,000 per year

- Medicine and pharmaceuticals – from $80,000 to $130,000

- Finance and insurance – $75,000 – $120,000

- Education and social services – $45,000 – $70,000

- Service sector – $30,000 – $50,000

Regional differences:

Salaries are traditionally higher in large cities due to the higher cost of living, for example:

- California – average annual salary of about $75,000

- New York – $73,000

- Texas – $64,000

- Florida – $60,000

Despite higher incomes, housing, transportation and medical costs in these regions are also significantly higher larger.

Where do expats work in the US?

Healthcare

Foreigners occupy key positions among doctors, nurses, pharmacists and caregivers.

- More than 2.7 million immigrants work in the healthcare sector.

- Average annual salary - $85,000 - $120,000.

Information Technology (IT)

The US is a global hub for technology companies, with a large proportion of employees being expats, especially from India and China.

- Popular positions: software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, data analysts.

- Salary: from $95,000 to $160,000 per year.

Construction and manufacturing

Sectors where many new immigrants, particularly from Latin America, traditionally work.

- Share of foreigners - over 30% of the workforce.

- Average income - $45,000 - $60,000.

Agriculture

About 70-75% of workers in the US agricultural sector are foreigners.

- Many of them work on temporary H-2A visas.

- Salary - $30,000 - $45,000 per year.

Hospitality and catering

Hotels, restaurants, cafes and resort complexes actively employ foreigners.

- Positions: administrators, waiters, cooks, maids.

- Salary: $28,000 - $45,000 per year.

Logistics and transportation

About 40-50% of truck drivers in the US are immigrants.

- Salary: $60,000 - $75,000 per year.

Science, research and education

Universities, laboratories and scientific centers actively attract foreign specialists.

- Popular areas: biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, engineering, economic research.

- Salary: $80,000 - $120,000.

Expats play a key role in the development of the American economy. Specialists in the fields of medicine, IT, transport, education and the agricultural sector have the greatest chances of finding a job.

The demand for qualified workers remains consistently high, and companies are increasingly supporting candidates in the process of obtaining work visas (H-1B, H-2B, O-1, EB-3).

How to find a job in the USA for a foreigner?

In general, the employment procedure in the USA can be divided into several stages:

1. Applying for a job in the USA

At the first stage, research the list of available vacancies in the USA via the Internet and start applying for them. The process of applying for a job in the US involves preparing a good resume/biography (CV) and cover letter.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, identify the skills in the job description and highlight them in your resume and cover letter.

By American standards, a good resume should include the following information: personal information (name, email address, phone number, etc.), career goals, education, experience, skill sets, and certifications.

2. Track your application

After you have applied for a job in the USA, keep up to date with the current status of your application. This demonstrates to the employer your motivation and professionalism.

3. Attend an interview

Before the interview, be sure to study the company’s vision, mission, and job expectations. During the interview, be sure to highlight your strengths and explain why you chose this particular company. Express your thoughts clearly and concisely, and stay calm.

4. Apply for a visa

After receiving a job offer in the USA from an American employer, you can apply for a visa.

Working in the USA for foreigners in 2025 remains a real opportunity for those who have professional skills and a desire to develop. Regardless of the industry – medicine, IT or transport – the main thing is to carefully prepare the documents, find a reliable employer and choose the right type of visa.

Do you want to work abroad without unnecessary mistakes and delays? Our “Work Guide” will help you:

- apply for a work visa and work permit step by step,

- collect all the necessary documents without omissions,

- learn about current fees and deadlines for considering applications,

- get life hacks for a comfortable stay in another country.

Download the guide now and prepare for a successful start to your career abroad!

Reminder! Starting in the fall of 2025, the procedure for obtaining non-immigrant visas to the USA will become significantly more complicated. Applicants are required to submit documents only in the country of citizenship or legal residence, and personal interviews will become mandatory for almost all visa categories. We’ve already covered where to apply for non-regular visa services, who the new mandatory interview rules apply to, and what practical tips can help you avoid visa denials.

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