Entry-level Mechanical Engineer salary in Buffalo, NY
Based on 11 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Tonawanda, North Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Williamsville.
Also listed as: Mechanical Design Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,016 |
| 25th | $69,368 |
| 50th (median) | $74,000 |
| 75th | $86,875 |
| 90th | $93,240 |
Cost of living
Buffalo's median entry-level Mechanical Engineer salary of $74,000 is worth about $77,200 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Buffalo = 95.8).
Compared with all workers here
All Mechanical Engineers in the Buffalo, NY area earned a median of $97,200 in May 2025 (780 employed). The H-1B median here is $74,000, 24% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | too few | 3 |
| Stark Tech Operating Company | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $74,000 | 11 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 6 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 3 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 4 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $68,016 | $74,000 | 11 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.