SOC 15-1252 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Software Developers H-1B wage levels in Columbia, SC
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $144,103. Level III starts at $122,034, Level II at $99,986 and Level I at $77,917.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Software Developers 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 Software Developers (SOC 15-1252) in the Columbia, SC wage area: Level I is $77,917 a year, Level II $99,986, Level III $122,034 and Level IV $144,103. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $144,103 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $77,917 up to $99,985 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 #68 highest Level IV wage for this job, 4% below the median metro ($150,780). 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 | $77,917 | $37.46 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $99,986 | $48.07 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $122,034 | $58.67 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $144,103 | $69.28 | 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.
Other South Carolina metros
Frequently asked
What salary gets 4 H-1B lottery entries for Software Developers in Columbia, SC?
At least $144,103 a year ($69.28/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-1252 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.
Software Developers 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.