Mechanical Engineering: from a US degree to a green card
CIP 14.1901
This is a STEM-designated major, so graduates can work on OPT for up to 36 months. That allows up to three tries in the H-1B lottery.
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Degree
$78,000
Median bachelor's earnings, year 1
Across 321 programs - OPT 36 months 12 months plus a 24-month STEM extension
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H-1B
$114,000
Median salary for mechanical engineers
40,270 certified across the main jobs -
Green card
7,004
PERM labor certifications, 89.8% certified
Median processing about 555 days
Jobs graduates go into
Grouped by US Standard Occupational Classification. Salaries are the wages offered on H-1B applications and exclude bonuses and stock.
| Job | H-1B certified | Median salary | Middle half of salaries | Green cards certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical engineersSOC 17-2141 | 40,270 | $114,000 | $93,480 – $142,500 | 7,004 |
Top H-1B employers
Mechanical engineers
| Employer | Certified | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Employer A | 3,221 | $119,205 |
| Sample Employer B | 2,979 | $108,201 |
| Sample Employer C | 2,738 | $141,311 |
| Sample Employer D | 2,496 | $147,885 |
| Sample Employer E | 2,255 | $123,849 |
| Sample Employer F | 2,013 | $124,662 |
| Sample Employer G | 1,771 | $106,516 |
| Sample Employer H | 1,530 | $107,259 |
Top green card sponsors
Mechanical engineers
| Employer | Certified |
|---|---|
| Sample Employer A | 700 |
| Sample Employer B | 644 |
| Sample Employer C | 588 |
| Sample Employer D | 532 |
| Sample Employer E | 476 |
| Sample Employer F | 420 |
| Sample Employer G | 364 |
| Sample Employer H | 308 |
Where the jobs are
Schools with the highest graduate earnings
Median earnings one year after graduation, from US Department of Education tax records for students who received federal aid. International students are not included in these figures.
| School | Year 1 | Later years |
|---|---|---|
| Sample University 1 | $105,300 | $136,890 |
| Sample University 2 | $102,180 | $132,834 |
| Sample University 3 | $99,060 | $128,778 |
| Sample University 4 | $95,940 | $124,722 |
| Sample University 5 | $92,820 | $120,666 |
| Sample University 6 | $89,700 | $116,610 |
| Sample University 7 | $86,580 | $112,554 |
| Sample University 8 | $83,460 | $108,498 |
| Sample University 9 | $80,340 | $104,442 |
| Sample University 10 | $77,220 | $100,386 |
| Sample University 11 | $74,100 | $96,330 |
| Sample University 12 | $70,980 | $92,274 |
| School | Year 1 | Later years |
|---|---|---|
| Sample University 1 | $126,360 | $136,890 |
| Sample University 2 | $122,616 | $132,834 |
| Sample University 3 | $118,872 | $128,778 |
| Sample University 4 | $115,128 | $124,722 |
| Sample University 5 | $111,384 | $120,666 |
| Sample University 6 | $107,640 | $116,610 |
| Sample University 7 | $103,896 | $112,554 |
| Sample University 8 | $100,152 | $108,498 |
| Sample University 9 | $96,408 | $104,442 |
| Sample University 10 | $92,664 | $100,386 |
| Sample University 11 | $88,920 | $96,330 |
| Sample University 12 | $85,176 | $92,274 |