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Occupation · SOC 17-2141

Mechanical Engineers

There are 296,810 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $104,110 a year. The most jobs are in Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI.

Architecture & EngineeringTypical education: Bachelor's degree
296,810
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$104,110
Median pay a year
Middle half: $84,130–$132,590
17,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +11.2%
10,267
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+12.6% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 347 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $109,470 · LCA filings 1,82022,500$109,4701,820
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $123,900 · LCA filings 5088,780$123,900508
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $125,350 · LCA filings 2978,310$125,350297
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $109,990 · LCA filings 3046,960$109,990304
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $102,070 · LCA filings 2736,900$102,070273
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $119,300 · LCA filings 2126,890$119,300212
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $105,420 · LCA filings 2485,600$105,420248
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay $168,030 · LCA filings 9995,540$168,030999
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $126,990 · LCA filings 945,390$126,99094
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $161,370 · LCA filings 7145,150$161,370714

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 5,540 · LCA filings 999$168,0305,540999
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 5,150 · LCA filings 714$161,3705,150714
Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 540 · LCA filings 3$135,5305403
Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CAEmployment 190 · LCA filings 28$132,92019028
Salinas, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 21$132,5607021

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIEmployers with LCA filings 411 · Employment 22,5001,82041122,500
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 225 · Employment 5,5409992255,540
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 216 · Employment 5,1507142165,150
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 186 · Employment 8,7805081868,780
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployers with LCA filings 107 · Employment 3,0703441073,070

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $100,672 · Level III $116,459 · Level IV $132,267$84,864$100,672$116,459$132,267
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $103,168 · Level III $123,739 · Level IV $144,290$82,618$103,168$123,739$144,290
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $109,408 · Level III $132,808 · Level IV $156,187$86,029$109,408$132,808$156,187
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $100,256 · Level III $117,333 · Level IV $134,389$83,200$100,256$117,333$134,389
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $91,853 · Level III $109,387 · Level IV $126,942$74,298$91,853$109,387$126,942
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $104,042 · Level III $121,971 · Level IV $139,922$86,091$104,042$121,971$139,922
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $96,304 · Level III $114,358 · Level IV $132,413$78,250$96,304$114,358$132,413
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $141,835 · Level III $165,693 · Level IV $189,530$117,998$141,835$165,693$189,530
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $112,174 · Level III $133,162 · Level IV $154,170$91,166$112,174$133,162$154,170
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $134,493 · Level III $158,454 · Level IV $182,437$110,510$134,493$158,454$182,437
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $92,893 · Level III $113,776 · Level IV $134,659$72,010$92,893$113,776$134,659

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Mechanical EngineeringCIP 14.19STEM OPT · up to 36 months5,713STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.08Varies by program208Varies by program
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringCIP 14.02STEM OPT · up to 36 months1,084STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Mechanical Engineers in every metro area

All 347 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Architecture & Engineering

Industrial EngineersCivil EngineersElectrical EngineersArchitectural and Civil DraftersEngineers, All OtherElectrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansArchitects, except Landscape and NavalSurveying and Mapping Technicians

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology