SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $138,820. Level III starts at $119,476, Level II at $100,152 and Level I at $80,808.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Providence, RI?
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA wage area: Level I is $80,808 a year, Level II $100,152, Level III $119,476 and Level IV $138,820. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $138,820 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $80,808 up to $100,151 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Providence, RI has the #19 highest Level IV wage for this job, 11% above the median metro ($124,904). The same $100,152 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 | $80,808 | $38.85 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $100,152 | $48.15 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $119,476 | $57.44 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $138,820 | $66.74 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Providence, RI
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $100,152 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 Providence, RI?
At least $138,820 a year ($66.74/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Bristol County, MA; Bristol County, RI; Kent County, RI; Newport County, RI; Providence County, RI; Washington County, RI.
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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.