Entry-level Mechanical Engineer (R&D) salary in Boston, MA
Based on 16 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Cambridge.
Also listed as: Researcher Iii Mechanical Engineering
Median salary$71,000
Middle 50%$68.5k–$71k
vs. all levels here−2%comparison median $72,700
Filings16FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
All levels here
$50k$60k$70k$80k$90k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $66,950 |
| 25th | $68,457 |
| 50th (median) | $71,000 |
| 75th | $71,000 |
| 90th | $71,000 |
Cost of living
Boston's median entry-level Mechanical Engineer (R&D) salary of $71,000 is worth about $65,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Boston = 108.3).
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $71,000 | 15 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $71,000 | 16 |
| Mid-level · Level II | – | 0 |
| Senior · Level III | $95,285 | 17 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
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 | $47,798 | $71,000 | 16 |
| Senior · Level III | $66,352 | $95,285 | 17 |
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.