SOC 15-2011 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Actuaries H-1B wage levels in Columbia, SC
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $161,720. Level III starts at $134,244, Level II at $106,767 and Level I at $79,290.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Actuaries 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 Actuaries (SOC 15-2011) in the Columbia, SC wage area: Level I is $79,290 a year, Level II $106,767, Level III $134,244 and Level IV $161,720. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $161,720 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $79,290 up to $106,766 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 #39 highest Level IV wage for this job, 5% above the median metro ($154,253). The same $106,767 offer that is Level II here reaches Level III in Houston, 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 | $79,290 | $38.12 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $106,767 | $51.33 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $134,244 | $64.54 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $161,720 | $77.75 | 4 | 61.16% |
Salary ladder
Where each level starts in Columbia, SC
Thresholds here are above the major-metro median, so you need a bigger salary for the same number of entries.
Where a $106,767 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 Actuaries in Columbia, SC?
At least $161,720 a year ($77.75/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 15-2011 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.
Actuaries 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.