SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $109,928. Level III starts at $95,805, Level II at $81,661 and Level I at $67,538.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Grand Rapids, MI?
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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI wage area: Level I is $67,538 a year, Level II $81,661, Level III $95,805 and Level IV $109,928. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $109,928 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $67,538 up to $81,660 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Grand Rapids, MI has the #93 highest Level IV wage for this job, 12% below the median metro ($124,904). 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 | $67,538 | $32.47 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $81,661 | $39.26 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $95,805 | $46.06 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $109,928 | $52.85 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Grand Rapids, MI
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Other Michigan metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Mechanical Engineers in Grand Rapids, MI?
At least $109,928 a year ($52.85/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Barry County, MI; Ionia County, MI; Kent County, MI; Montcalm County, MI; Ottawa County, MI.
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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
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.