SOC 11-9121 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Natural Sciences Managers H-1B wage levels in Columbia, SC
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $156,458. Level III starts at $132,018, Level II at $107,578 and Level I at $83,138.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Natural Sciences Managers in Columbia, SC?
For the 2026–27 wage year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), the U.S. Department of Labor sets four H-1B prevailing wage levels for Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121) in the Columbia, SC wage area: Level I is $83,138 a year, Level II $107,578, Level III $132,018 and Level IV $156,458. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $156,458 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $83,138 up to $107,577 gets one. DHS projects selection odds of about 15%, 31%, 46% and 61% for Levels I to IV. Among 100 major H-1B metros, Columbia, SC has the #78 highest Level IV wage for this job, 13% below the median metro ($180,108). The same $107,578 offer that is Level II here reaches Level III in College Station, TX. These figures apply to the FY 2028 registration in March 2027.
| Wage level | Annual salary at least | Hourly | Lottery entries | DHS projected odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | $83,138 | $39.97 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $107,578 | $51.72 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $132,018 | $63.47 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $156,458 | $75.22 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Columbia, SC
Thresholds here are below the major-metro median, so a given salary earns more entries than in pricier metros.
Where a $107,578 offer lands
That's Level II here. For the same job, it reaches a higher level in these major metros.
Other South Carolina metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Natural Sciences Managers in Columbia, SC?
At least $156,458 a year ($75.22/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 11-9121 in this area for 2026–27.
Which counties does this wage area cover?
Calhoun County, SC; Fairfield County, SC; Kershaw County, SC; Lexington County, SC; Richland County, SC; Saluda County, SC.
Do these numbers apply to the March 2027 registration?
Yes. The FY 2028 registration in March 2027 uses the wage year in effect then, July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Natural Sciences Managers wages in all 530 areas · All occupations in Columbia, SC
Learn more: How to legitimately raise your wage level · Lottery level vs. LCA level · FY 2028 registration
Annual salary in U.S. dollars, rounded up. Source: DOL OFLC prevailing wage data, effective July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027, computed directly from the DOL file (methodology). Page updated 2026-10-14.