As for PhDs, I don’t know the system in the USA, in Germany you can become a part-time teacher for your subject at university. Which means that your PhD is free and you get payed a little, normally enough to provide for your everyday and rent. Maybe there are doctorate programs geared towards US students.

Also maybe this info by the German Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs can be helpful.

If you have any further questions on working in Germany, pls do consider asking on the English-speaking German subreddits for further information. They are quite a big community and should be able to offer more info and in particular more detailed info for your craft.

Anyhow I wish you good luck and maybe we can welcome you in Germany.