Mechanical Engineers
SOC Code: 17-2141 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Mechanical Engineers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $73,507 | $127,504 | $181,480 | $235,477 |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $99,154 | $140,192 | $181,230 | $222,269 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $105,269 | $132,142 | $158,995 | $185,869 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $101,629 | $126,131 | $150,654 | $175,157 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $103,043 | $122,782 | $142,542 | $162,282 |
| Farmington, NM | $103,126 | $122,803 | $142,501 | $162,178 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $100,214 | $120,432 | $140,650 | $160,867 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $93,184 | $115,128 | $137,093 | $159,037 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $83,200 | $108,472 | $133,723 | $158,995 |
| Salinas, CA | $78,541 | $105,331 | $132,101 | $158,891 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Cummins Inc. | 897 | $95,368 |
| TESLA, INC. | 811 | $146,864 |
| Apple Inc. | 631 | $159,231 |
| RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE, LLC | 623 | $146,953 |
| HCL AMERICA INC | 445 | $94,682 |
| L&T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LIMITED | 407 | $92,090 |
| General Motors | 254 | $127,425 |
| Lucid USA, Inc. | 245 | $144,232 |
| General Motors Company | 225 | $113,838 |
| TECH MAHINDRA (AMERICAS), INC | 220 | $85,011 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,652 | $93,157 |
| 2021 | 2,030 | $99,683 |
| 2022 | 1,669 | $106,376 |
| 2023 | 4,843 | $135,364 |
| 2024 | 8,214 | $107,843 |
| 2025 | 9,531 | $378,707 |
| 2026 | 1,246 | $407,591 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 | |
| Mathematics | 3.8 | |
| Science | 3.8 | |
| Operations Analysis | 3.5 | |
| Active Learning | 3.5 | |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Design | 4.5 |
| Engineering and Technology | 4.5 |
| Production and Processing | 4.3 |
| Mechanical | 4.2 |
| English Language | 4.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.7 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.6 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 52.3% |
| Associate's degree | 28.6% |
| Some college | 8.9% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 8.3% |
| High school diploma | 1.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
- Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.
- Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
- Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.
- Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
- Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Illustrator Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Autodesk Revit Bentley MicroStation C C++ Chef Dassault Systemes SolidWorks ESRI ArcGIS software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint
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