SOC 19-2031 · DOL wage year 2026–27 · FY 2028 lottery
Chemists H-1B wage levels in Columbia, SC
For the maximum 4 lottery entries, the offered salary must be at least $89,420. Level III starts at $79,124, Level II at $68,807 and Level I at $58,511.
What is the H-1B prevailing wage for Chemists 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 Chemists (SOC 19-2031) in the Columbia, SC wage area: Level I is $58,511 a year, Level II $68,807, Level III $79,124 and Level IV $89,420. Under the weighted H-1B lottery, a registration is entered once per wage level, so an offer of $89,420 or more gets four entries, while an offer from $58,511 up to $68,806 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 #92 highest Level IV wage for this job, 19% below the median metro ($110,428). The same $68,807 offer that is Level II here reaches Level IV in Nashville, TN. 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 | $58,511 | $28.13 | 1 | 15.29% |
| Level II | $68,807 | $33.08 | 2 | 30.58% |
| Level III | $79,124 | $38.04 | 3 | 45.87% |
| Level IV | $89,420 | $42.99 | 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 $68,807 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 Chemists in Columbia, SC?
At least $89,420 a year ($42.99/hour), the DOL OEWS Level IV wage for SOC 19-2031 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.
Chemists 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.