Populus salaries by job title (2026)
Populus filed 258 certified H-1B applications for full-time roles in FY2026 Q1–Q3 (decisions Oct 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026). The median base salary is $124,800, and the middle half of offers fall between $108,160 and $146,380.
Populus base salary by job title
| Job title | Median base | Middle 50% | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Engineer | $140,400 | $114,400 – $141,440 | 11 |
| Calibration Engineer | $108,160 | $104,000 – $124,987 | 9 |
| Java Developer | $122,720 | $108,160 – $136,240 | 9 |
| Software Engineer | $131,560 | $116,480 – $166,400 | 9 |
| Data Scientist | $128,960 | $124,280 – $132,080 | 6 |
| Data Analyst | $114,400 | $90,230 – $114,400 | 5 |
| Full Stack Java Developer | $124,717 | $116,480 – $145,600 | 5 |
| Project Manager | $135,200 | $131,622 – $135,200 | 5 |
| Quality Engineer | $118,560 | $114,400 – $124,800 | 5 |
By location
| Worksite | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Plano, TX | $134,160 | 12 |
| Plymouth, MI | $108,160 | 9 |
| Jersey City, NJ | $168,480 | 8 |
| Seattle, WA | $111,977 | 8 |
| Morrisville, NC | $105,040 | 7 |
| Allen Park, MI | $117,250 | 6 |
| Austin, TX | $140,400 | 6 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $117,000 | 6 |
| Columbus, OH | $122,720 | 6 |
| Irvine, CA | $113,360 | 6 |
Take-home pay
Most of Populus's filings are for jobs in Texas. There, the median base of $124,800 leaves about $96,567 a year, or $8,047 a month, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Texas taxes for a single filer with no 401(k) contributions. For Data Engineer ($140,400), it is about $107,229 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 |
|---|---|
| I: Entry level | 12% |
| II: Qualified | 31% |
| III: Experienced | 34% |
| IV: Fully competent | 23% |
By occupation
| Occupation | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $131,560 | 73 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $124,800 | 24 |
| Data Scientists | $128,960 | 23 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $135,200 | 18 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $107,120 | 18 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $130,000 | 13 |
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 Populus?
The median base salary in Populus's 258 certified H-1B filings is $124,800 a year, and the middle half fall between $108,160 and $146,380. Bonuses and stock are extra.
How much does a Data Engineer at Populus make?
The median base salary for Data Engineer is $140,400 across 11 filings (middle 50%: $114,400 – $141,440).
Where does Populus pay the most?
Among locations with at least five filings, Jersey City, NJ has the highest median base salary at $168,480.
What is $124,800 after tax in Texas?
About $96,567 a year ($8,047 a month) for a single filer after federal, Social Security, Medicare and Texas taxes.