National Prevailing Wage Thresholds — Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141)
Annual equivalents. Source: OFLC Prevailing Wage Data. Last updated 2026-05-02.
Real LCA Filing Stats
Wage Level Distribution (Real Filings)
Based on 257 filings with wage level data.
Top States for Mechanical Engineers H-1B Filings
| State | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| MI | $107,408 | 111 |
| CA | $125,394 | 32 |
| OH | $96,319 | 24 |
| IN | $80,232 | 14 |
| MD | $89,234 | 9 |
| FL | $79,000 | 6 |
| MN | $90,715 | 5 |
| TX | $97,673 | 5 |
Top H-1B Employers for Mechanical Engineers
| Employer | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| General Motors | $128,662 | 44 |
| TOOGANN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | $98,319 | 21 |
| Detroit Engineered Products, Inc. | $81,535 | 18 |
| Black & Veatch Corporation | $96,476 | 10 |
| KPIT Technologies, Inc. | $71,272 | 7 |
| Frore Systems, Inc. | $145,431 | 7 |
| RACAR ENGINEERING LLC, DBA TOOGANN | $97,060 | 6 |
| Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | $123,579 | 5 |
Wage Trend by Year
| Year | Avg Wage | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $84,522 | 30 |
| 2021 | $88,387 | 35 |
| 2022 | $97,076 | 21 |
| 2023 | $99,997 | 30 |
| 2024 | $105,857 | 67 |
| 2025 | $117,383 | 60 |
| 2026 | $117,991 | 11 |
Calculate Your Exact Wage Level
Enter the specific job requirements — degree, experience, supervision duties — and get the DOL-calculated level with real comparison data.
Open the Interactive CalculatorHow the H-1B Wage Level is Determined for Mechanical Engineers
Under the Department of Labor's prevailing wage determination process (NPWHC Policy Guidance, November 2009), the wage level for an H-1B petition is not simply based on job title or salary — it's calculated by analyzing the specific requirements of the position. This protects U.S. workers from wage depression and ensures H-1B workers are fairly compensated.
The Four Wage Levels
- Level I – Entry ($70,054/yr nationally): Position requires only basic understanding of the occupation. Assignments are routine, closely supervised, with limited latitude for judgment.
- Level II – Qualified ($85,238/yr nationally): Some judgment and independent decision-making required. Duties are more complex but still within prescribed parameters.
- Level III – Experienced ($99,860/yr nationally): Significant judgment, evaluation, and independent action. May supervise others. Complex tasks requiring experience-based expertise.
- Level IV – Fully Competent ($114,316/yr nationally): Highest level of competence. Uses advanced, specialized knowledge. May direct others. Handles novel or critical situations independently.
DOL Scoring Factors
Starting from a baseline of Level I, points are added based on job requirements:
- Education above bachelor's degree: Master's or J.D. = +1 point; PhD, M.D., D.V.M., D.D.S. = +2 points
- Experience: 2–4 years = +1 point; 5 or more years = +2 points
- Supervisory duties: Any supervision of others = +1 point
- Special requirements: Professional license, foreign language fluency, or additional certification = +1 each, capped at +2 total
Scores map to levels: 0 points = Level I, 1 point = Level II, 2 points = Level III, 3+ points = Level IV.
Why Wage Level Matters for H-1B Approval
USCIS scrutinizes petitions where the offered wage matches a Level I or II designation for a position that appears to require significantly more expertise. A mismatch between job duties and wage level can result in an RFE (Request for Evidence) or denial. Based on 254 certified LCA filings for Mechanical Engineers, the median wage is $100,000 — use this as a benchmark when evaluating your offer's competitiveness.
Prevailing Wage by Metro Area
The national wage thresholds shown above are baseline figures. Prevailing wages vary significantly by metropolitan area — San Francisco, Seattle, and New York typically run 20–40% above the national average for tech occupations. Use the interactive calculator with your specific metro area for the most accurate threshold.