Expert Mechanical Engineer salary in Columbus, IN
Based on 28 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Columbus, IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Walesboro.
Also listed as: Mechanical Design Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $130,416 |
| 25th | $130,416 |
| 50th (median) | $135,491 |
| 75th | $135,491 |
| 90th | $135,491 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2022 | $111,842 | $109,561 | $112,201 | 10 |
| FY2023 | $108,800 | $104,000 | $118,465 | 19 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2025 | $132,954 | $130,416 | $135,491 | 18 |
| FY2026 | $135,491 | $135,491 | $135,491 | 10 |
Cost of living
Columbus's median expert Mechanical Engineer salary of $135,491 is worth about $145,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Columbus = 93.0).
Compared with all workers here
All Mechanical Engineers in the Columbus, IN area earned a median of $127,700 in May 2025 (1,000 employed). The H-1B median here is $135,491, 6% higher.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cummins | $135,491 | 25 |
| LER TechForce | too few | 3 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $92,581 | 22 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $106,891 | 63 |
| Senior · Level III | $121,181 | 91 |
| Expert · Level IV | $135,491 | 28 |
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 | $89,960 | $92,581 | 22 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $103,438 | $106,891 | 63 |
| Senior · Level III | $121,181 | $121,181 | 91 |
| Expert · Level IV | $135,491 | $135,491 | 28 |
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.