SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Columbus, OH
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $113,048. Level III starts at $99,716, Level II at $86,362 and Level I at $73,029.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH wage area: Level I is $73,029 a year, Level II $86,362, Level III $99,716 and Level IV $113,048. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $113,048 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $73,029 up to $86,361 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Columbus, OH has the #86 highest Level IV wage for this job, 9% below the median metro ($124,904). The same $86,362 offer that is Level II here reaches Level III 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 | $73,029 | $35.11 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $86,362 | $41.52 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $99,716 | $47.94 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $113,048 | $54.35 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Columbus, OH
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $86,362 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 Columbus, OH?
At least $113,048 a year ($54.35/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Delaware County, OH; Fairfield County, OH; Franklin County, OH; Hocking County, OH; Licking County, OH; Madison County, OH; Morrow County, OH; Perry County, OH; Pickaway County, OH; Union 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 Columbus, OH
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.