Mechanical Modeler salary
From 17 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 17-3013: Mechanical Drafters
- Also filed as: Mechanical Drafters
At a glance
- Median up 11% since FY2020. From $62,500 in FY2020 to $69,600 in FY2024 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Mechanical Modeler H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 17 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Mechanical Modeler jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 17-3013, Mechanical Drafters). The median base salary is $70,000, 43% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $65,000 and $76,835.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | – | 0 |
| Level II · Qualified | – | 0 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Mechanical Modeler does
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Typical tasks
- Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
- Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Create bills of materials.
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 Drafters (17-3013.00). 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 Drafters), the median annual wage was $71,550 in May 2025, with 39,960 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $70,000, 2% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,787 | $48,360 |
| 25th percentile | $65,000 | $58,080 |
| Median | $70,000 | $71,550 |
| 75th percentile | $76,835 | $86,120 |
| 90th percentile | $86,400 | $106,580 |
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 | $57,787 |
| 25th | $65,000 |
| 50th (median) | $70,000 |
| 75th | $76,835 |
| 90th | $86,400 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $62,500 | $60,000 | $69,994 | 31 |
| FY2021 | $63,710 | $62,500 | $75,975 | 34 |
| FY2022 | $64,700 | $60,000 | $66,800 | 33 |
| FY2023 | $62,436 | $60,000 | $78,216 | 20 |
| FY2024 | $69,600 | $64,465 | $76,045 | 18 |
| FY2025 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 8 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Mechanical Modeler make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Mechanical Modeler jobs is $70,000 (17 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $65,000 and $76,835.
Do H-1B Mechanical Modelers earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($70,000) is 2% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($71,550, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.