Cognizant salaries by job title (2026)
Cognizant filed 5,794 certified H-1B applications for full-time roles in FY2026 Q1–Q3 (decisions Oct 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026). The median base salary is $111,134, and the middle half of offers fall between $94,307 and $126,818.
Cognizant base salary by job title
| Job title | Median base | Middle 50% | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $115,336 | $107,640 – $118,851 | 2,072 |
| Senior Associate -Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $90,210 | $82,846 – $93,538 | 1,024 |
| Senior Manager - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 | $130,083 – $145,246 | 663 |
| SA - Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $87,360 | $84,178 – $92,061 | 442 |
| Mgr. - Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $108,971 | $102,669 – $118,997 | 427 |
| Sr. Mgr. - Information Technology Project Managers | $140,795 | $126,974 – $145,620 | 183 |
| AD - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $144,144 | $137,394 – $158,267 | 87 |
| Manager - Software Developers | $133,536 | $130,603 – $134,971 | 83 |
| Manager - Information Technology Project Managers | $116,459 | $106,538 – $126,818 | 82 |
| Manager - Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $103,334 | $101,088 – $108,971 | 80 |
| Senior Associate - Software Developers | $109,283 | $102,752 – $112,923 | 69 |
| Sr Mgr Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $123,864 | $121,389 – $148,574 | 65 |
| AD - Information Technology Project Managers | $144,144 | $132,434 – $153,536 | 52 |
| Manager - Database Administrators | $109,034 | $103,516 – $119,002 | 48 |
| Manager - Database Architects | $140,000 | $133,682 – $148,387 | 31 |
By location
| Worksite | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Plano, TX | $118,456 | 295 |
| Charlotte, NC | $113,797 | 205 |
| Hartford, CT | $104,062 | 161 |
| Irving, TX | $118,456 | 137 |
| Atlanta, GA | $108,514 | 93 |
| Alpharetta, GA | $108,514 | 90 |
| Austin, TX | $119,933 | 89 |
| Chicago, IL | $107,640 | 74 |
| Edison, NJ | $126,818 | 73 |
| Parsippany, NJ | $126,818 | 68 |
Take-home pay
Most of Cognizant's filings are for jobs in Texas. There, the median base of $111,134 leaves about $87,013 a year, or $7,251 a month, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Texas taxes for a single filer with no 401(k) contributions. For Manager - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects ($115,336), it is about $89,969 a year. Use the Texas paycheck calculator to add a 401(k), a spouse or children.
Experience levels
Each filing names the prevailing-wage level the job was matched to, from entry level (I) to fully competent (IV).
| Wage level | Share of filings |
|---|---|
| II: Qualified | 29% |
| III: Experienced | 51% |
| IV: Fully competent | 21% |
By occupation
| Occupation | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $113,797 | 3,849 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $102,086 | 940 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $132,434 | 321 |
| Software Developers | $131,082 | 178 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $103,334 | 127 |
| Management Analysts | $129,230 | 72 |
About this data
- Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, LCA disclosure data for FY2026 Q1–Q3 (decisions Oct 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026). Only certified H-1B applications for full-time positions are counted (384,130 filings).
- Each figure is the base wage the employer stated on the application, converted to a yearly amount. Bonuses, stock (RSUs) and benefits are not included, so total pay at large tech firms is usually much higher.
- An application is filed before a worker starts and can cover a range of pay; we use the lower end of that range. Not every application leads to a hire.
- Median: half of filings are above, half below. Middle 50%: the range between the 25th and 75th percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary at Cognizant?
The median base salary in Cognizant's 5,794 certified H-1B filings is $111,134 a year, and the middle half fall between $94,307 and $126,818. Bonuses and stock are extra.
How much does a Manager - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects at Cognizant make?
The median base salary for Manager - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects is $115,336 across 2,072 filings (middle 50%: $107,640 – $118,851).
Where does Cognizant pay the most?
Among locations with at least five filings, Edison, NJ has the highest median base salary at $126,818.
What is $111,134 after tax in Texas?
About $87,013 a year ($7,251 a month) for a single filer after federal, Social Security, Medicare and Texas taxes.