Can a B2 visa holder work in the USA?

No, a B2 visa holder cannot work in the USA at all.

The B2 visa is strictly a tourist visa, meant only for:

Tourism and travel

Visiting family or friends

Medical treatment

Leisure activities

What you are NOT allowed to do on a B2 visa:

Take a job in the U.S.

Earn salary or wages from a U.S. employer

Do freelance, gig, or remote work while physically in the U.S.

Perform any productive work for a U.S. business

Even if the job is online or for a foreign company, working while physically present in the U.S. on a B2 visa can still create Immigration issues depending on the activity and intent.

Important point:

U.S. immigration law focuses on what you are doing inside the U.S., not just who is paying you. So “remote work from a U.S. location” can still be considered unauthorized employment in many cases.