SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $126,028. Level III starts at $109,949, Level II at $93,850 and Level I at $77,772.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Charlotte, NC?
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC wage area: Level I is $77,772 a year, Level II $93,850, Level III $109,949 and Level IV $126,028. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $126,028 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $77,772 up to $93,849 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Charlotte, NC has the #47 highest Level IV wage for this job, 1% above the median metro ($124,904). The same $93,850 offer that is Level II here reaches Level III in Fayetteville, AR. 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 | $77,772 | $37.39 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $93,850 | $45.12 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $109,949 | $52.86 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $126,028 | $60.59 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Charlotte, NC
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $93,850 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other North Carolina metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Mechanical Engineers in Charlotte, NC?
At least $126,028 a year ($60.59/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Anson County, NC; Cabarrus County, NC; Gaston County, NC; Iredell County, NC; Lincoln County, NC; Mecklenburg County, NC; Rowan County, NC; Union County, NC; Chester County, SC; Lancaster County, SC; York County, SC.
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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.