Mid-level Data Scientist salary in Columbia, SC
Based on 20 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the Columbia, SC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Lexington, Elgin, Blythewood, Chapin, Hopkins.
Also listed as: Machine Learning Scientist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $73,944 |
| 25th | $74,000 |
| 50th (median) | $76,825 |
| 75th | $81,514 |
| 90th | $92,208 |
Cost of living
Columbia's median mid-level Data Scientist salary of $76,825 is worth about $82,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Columbia = 93.7).
Compared with all workers here
All Data Scientists in the Columbia, SC area earned a median of $88,260 in May 2025 (590 employed). The H-1B median here is $76,825, 13% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctityinternational | too few | 5 |
| Abc Information Technology Group | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 5 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $76,825 | 20 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $76,606 | $76,825 | 20 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.