SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $142,376. Level III starts at $120,869, Level II at $99,341 and Level I at $77,834.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in New Orleans, LA?
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA wage area: Level I is $77,834 a year, Level II $99,341, Level III $120,869 and Level IV $142,376. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $142,376 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $77,834 up to $99,340 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, New Orleans, LA has the #14 highest Level IV wage for this job, 14% above the median metro ($124,904). The same $99,341 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV 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 | $77,834 | $37.42 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $99,341 | $47.76 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $120,869 | $58.11 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $142,376 | $68.45 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in New Orleans, LA
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $99,341 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Mechanical Engineers in New Orleans, LA?
At least $142,376 a year ($68.45/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Jefferson Parish, LA; Orleans Parish, LA; Plaquemines Parish, LA; St. Bernard Parish, LA; St. Charles Parish, LA; St. James Parish, LA; St. John the Baptist Parish, LA.
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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.