Mechanical Engineer H-1B Wage Level Breakdown 2026
Most certified H-1B Mechanical Engineer petitions are filed at Level II (Qualified)(48.3% of 44,218 filings). Because the 2026 wage-weighted lottery favors higher DOL prevailing wage levels, the level your employer files at directly shapes your selection odds.
Wage Level Distribution & 2026 Lottery Entry Weight
| DOL Wage Level | Share of Filings | Median Wage | 25th–75th | 2026 Lottery Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 17.8% | $73K | $62K–$88K | 1× |
| Level II (Qualified) | 48.3% | $89K | $80K–$102K | 2× |
| Level III (Experienced) | 25.4% | $110K | $98K–$126K | 3× |
| Level IV (Expert) | 8.5% | $132K | $118K–$150K | 4× |
Distribution across 44,218 certified Mechanical Engineer LCA filings (DOL FY2022–2026). Entry-weight column reflects the DHS wage-weighted selection rule effective February 27, 2026 (Level IV = 4 entries, III = 3, II = 2, I = 1 in the registration pool). USCIS has not published official aggregate selection-rate percentages by wage level, so none are stated here.
Employers Filing Mechanical Engineers at Level III–IV
These employers most often file Mechanical Engineer petitions at the higher prevailing wage levels, the tiers with the strongest selection odds under the 2026 wage-weighted lottery.
| Employer | Level | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing Company | Level III | 2,104 | $118K |
| Raytheon Technologies Corp. | Level III | 1,648 | $115K |
| Lockheed Martin Corporation | Level III | 1,382 | $122K |
| General Electric Company | Level IV | 892 | $138K |
| Honeywell International Inc. | Level III | 768 | $112K |
| Ford Motor Company | Level III | 642 | $108K |
| General Motors LLC | Level III | 584 | $112K |
Ranked by Level III–IV Mechanical Engineer filing volume (DOL FY2022–2026).
What DOL Wage Levels Mean
Every H-1B Labor Condition Application is filed at one of four DOL prevailing wage levels, set by the role's required experience and the OES survey for the occupation and location:
- Level I (Entry): roughly the 17th percentile wage, new graduates and early-career hires.
- Level II (Qualified): ~34th percentile, some experience, the most common H-1B level.
- Level III (Experienced): ~50th percentile, independent, senior-leaning roles.
- Level IV (Expert): ~67th percentile and up, lead, principal, and managerial roles.
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Based on 44,218 certified Mechanical Engineer LCA filings (DOL FY2022–2026) with a reported DOL prevailing wage level. Defense and aerospace contractors dominate Level III–IV filings.