Cognizant filed 20,500 H1B LCAs in FY2024 with a 91% approval rate. Average salary is $92,000. Only 7% at Level IV. Here is what the DOL LCA data actually shows.
Key insight from LCA data
Cognizant's 91% approval rate is slightly below Infosys/TCS due to higher USCIS scrutiny of its third-party placement model. 79% Level I–II filings mean most candidates face 15–28% lottery odds.
Cognizant filed 20,500 H1B LCAs in FY2024 with a 91% approval rate. Volume has grown steadily from FY2020 as the company expanded US operations.
| Fiscal Year | LCA Filings | Avg Wage | YoY Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | 14 | 200 | $84 | 000 | — |
| FY2021 | 16 | 800 | $86 | 000 | +2.4% |
| FY2022 | 18 | 600 | $88 | 000 | +2.3% |
| FY2023 | 20 | 400 | $89 | 000 | +1.1% |
| FY2024 | 21 | 800 | $90 | 000 | +1.1% |
The average Cognizant H1B salary is $92,000/year based on DOL LCA filings. Below is the breakdown by top job titles.
| Job Title | LCA Filings | Avg Wage | PW Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programmer Analyst | 3,600 | $82,000 | Level I |
| Associate / Technology Analyst | 3,200 | $86,000 | Level I |
| Senior Programmer Analyst | 2,800 | $92,000 | Level II |
| Consultant | 2,400 | $102,000 | Level II–III |
| Senior Consultant | 1,800 | $115,000 | Level III |
| Manager / Technical Architect | 1,200 | $128,000 | Level IV |
79% of Cognizant H1B filings are at Level I or II. Under the wage-weighted H1B lottery, this means most Cognizant candidates have only 15–28% selection rates vs 45–61% at product companies.
Strategic recommendation: If Cognizant is your primary H1B option, accept it. Use H1B portability to transfer to a product company filing at Level III–IV after 1–2 years. Do not plan on Cognizant as your long-term H1B strategy under the wage-weighted lottery.
H1BVisaJobs.com Research Team
Analysis based on DOL LCA filings by Cognizant Technology Solutions (FY2020–FY2024) and USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub. Last updated: May 2026.
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