SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $126,984. Level III starts at $109,741, Level II at $92,477 and Level I at $75,234.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Cincinnati, OH?
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN wage area: Level I is $75,234 a year, Level II $92,477, Level III $109,741 and Level IV $126,984. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $126,984 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $75,234 up to $92,476 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Cincinnati, OH has the #42 highest Level IV wage for this job, 2% above the median metro ($124,904). The same $92,477 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 | $75,234 | $36.17 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $92,477 | $44.46 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $109,741 | $52.76 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $126,984 | $61.05 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Cincinnati, OH
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $92,477 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other Ohio metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Mechanical Engineers in Cincinnati, OH?
At least $126,984 a year ($61.05/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Dearborn County, IN; Franklin County, IN; Ohio County, IN; Boone County, KY; Bracken County, KY; Campbell County, KY; Gallatin County, KY; Grant County, KY; Kenton County, KY; Pendleton County, KY; Brown County, OH; Butler County, OH; Clermont County, OH; Hamilton County, OH; Warren County, OH.
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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.