SOC 17-2141 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Mechanical Engineers H-1B wage levels in Raleigh-Cary, NC
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $122,263. Level III starts at $104,770, Level II at $87,298 and Level I at $69,805.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Mechanical Engineers in Raleigh, NC?
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC wage area: Level I is $69,805 a year, Level II $87,298, Level III $104,770 and Level IV $122,263. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $122,263 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $69,805 up to $87,297 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Raleigh, NC has the #63 highest Level IV wage for this job, 2% below the median metro ($124,904). The same $87,298 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 | $69,805 | $33.56 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $87,298 | $41.97 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $104,770 | $50.37 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $122,263 | $58.78 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Raleigh, NC
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $87,298 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other North Carolina metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Mechanical Engineers in Raleigh, NC?
At least $122,263 a year ($58.78/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 17-2141 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Franklin County, NC; Johnston County, NC; Wake County, NC.
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC
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.