SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $108,514. Level III starts at $96,720, Level II at $84,906 and Level I at $73,112.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines, IA?
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA wage area: Level I is $73,112 a year, Level II $84,906, Level III $96,720 and Level IV $108,514. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $108,514 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $73,112 up to $84,905 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Des Moines, IA has the #96 highest Level IV wage for this job, 13% below the median metro ($124,904). The same $84,906 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 | $73,112 | $35.15 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $84,906 | $40.82 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $96,720 | $46.50 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $108,514 | $52.17 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Des Moines, IA
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $84,906 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other Iowa metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines, IA?
At least $108,514 a year ($52.17/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Dallas County, IA; Guthrie County, IA; Jasper County, IA; Madison County, IA; Polk County, IA; Warren County, IA.
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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.