Mechanical Engineering Technologist salary
From 63 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 17-3027: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
At a glance
- Mostly Level II (mid-level). 50% of Mechanical Engineering Technologist filings are Level II, compared with 42% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 16% since FY2020. From $57,643 in FY2020 to $67,000 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Mechanical Engineering Technologist H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 63 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Mechanical Engineering Technologist jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 17-3027, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians). The median base salary is $65,520, 47% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $61,531 and $80,017. The most common wage level is Level II (mid-level), at 50% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 24% of filings
Mid-level · 50% of filings
Senior · 26% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $51,314 | 13 |
| Level II · Qualified | $64,272 | 27 |
| Level III · Experienced | $73,757 | 14 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Mechanical Engineering Technologist pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 1 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $63,710 | 13 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Mechanical Engineering Technologist does
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Typical tasks
- Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.
- Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
- Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
- Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
- Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
- Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.
Preparation
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET occupation: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (17-3027.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians), the median annual wage was $74,510 in May 2025, with 36,190 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $65,520, 12% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,451 | $48,400 |
| 25th percentile | $61,531 | $59,510 |
| Median | $65,520 | $74,510 |
| 75th percentile | $80,017 | $88,110 |
| 90th percentile | $90,517 | $106,050 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $52,451 |
| 25th | $61,531 |
| 50th (median) | $65,520 |
| 75th | $80,017 |
| 90th | $90,517 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $57,643 | $50,989 | $65,250 | 12 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2022 | $64,272 | $60,000 | $70,000 | 13 |
| FY2023 | $63,550 | $59,475 | $71,421 | 10 |
| FY2024 | $64,220 | $59,061 | $68,621 | 12 |
| FY2025 | $65,489 | $60,000 | $79,077 | 44 |
| FY2026 | $67,000 | $63,710 | $86,590 | 19 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Mechanical Engineering Technologist make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Mechanical Engineering Technologist jobs is $65,520 (63 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $61,531 and $80,017.
What does an entry-level Mechanical Engineering Technologist earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $51,314. Level I accounts for 24% of Mechanical Engineering Technologist filings.
Do H-1B Mechanical Engineering Technologists earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($65,520) is 12% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($74,510, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.