The above poster “mwa187” is incorrect, there are employer-sponsored permanent residency (green card) eligibilities in addition to marriage, child petition, and lottery eligibilities; per the USCIS:

“U.S. immigration law provides aliens with a variety of ways to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) through employment in the United States. These employment-based (EB) ‘preference immigrant’ categories include:

First preference (EB-1) – priority workers
Aliens with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics;
Outstanding professors and researchers; or
Certain multinational managers and executives.

Second preference (EB-2) – aliens who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or who have exceptional ability (including requests for national interest waivers).

Third preference (EB-3) – skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.”

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-employment-based-immigrants