SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $139,922. Level III starts at $121,972, Level II at $104,042 and Level I at $86,092.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Boston, MA?
For the 2026–27 wage year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), the U.S. Department of Labor sets four H-1B prevailing wage levels for Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141) in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH wage area: Level I is $86,092 a year, Level II $104,042, Level III $121,972 and Level IV $139,922. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $139,922 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $86,092 up to $104,041 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Boston, MA has the #16 highest Level IV wage for this job, 12% above the median metro ($124,904). The same $104,042 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in Gainesville, FL. These figures apply to the FY 2028 registration in March 2027.
| Wage level | Annual salary at least | Hourly | Lottery entries | DHS projected odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | $86,092 | $41.39 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $104,042 | $50.02 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $121,972 | $58.64 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $139,922 | $67.27 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Boston, MA
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $104,042 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other Massachusetts metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Mechanical Engineers in Boston, MA?
At least $139,922 a year ($67.27/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Essex County, MA; Middlesex County, MA; Norfolk County, MA; Plymouth County, MA; Suffolk County, MA; Rockingham County, NH; Strafford County, NH.
Do these numbers apply to the March 2027 registration?
Yes. The FY 2028 registration in March 2027 uses the wage year in effect then, July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Mechanical Engineers wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Learn more: How to legitimately raise your wage level · Lottery level vs. LCA level · FY 2028 registration
Annual salary in U.S. dollars, rounded up. Source: DOL OFLC prevailing wage data, effective July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027, computed directly from the DOL file (methodology). Page updated 2026-10-14.