SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Fresno, CA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $120,828. Level III starts at $103,002, Level II at $85,176 and Level I at $67,351.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Fresno, CA?
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 Fresno, CA wage area: Level I is $67,351 a year, Level II $85,176, Level III $103,002 and Level IV $120,828. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $120,828 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $67,351 up to $85,175 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Fresno, CA has the #70 highest Level IV wage for this job, 3% below the median metro ($124,904). The same $85,176 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 | $67,351 | $32.38 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $85,176 | $40.95 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $103,002 | $49.52 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $120,828 | $58.09 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Fresno, CA
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $85,176 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other California metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Mechanical Engineers in Fresno, CA?
At least $120,828 a year ($58.09/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Fresno County, CA; Madera County, CA.
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 Fresno, CA
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.