Entry-level Software Engineer salary in Columbia, SC
Based on 22 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Columbia, SC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Lexington, Cayce, Blythewood, West Columbia, Irmo.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $76,232 |
| 25th | $76,237 |
| 50th (median) | $83,000 |
| 75th | $91,724 |
| 90th | $94,860 |
Cost of living
Columbia's median entry-level Software Engineer salary of $83,000 is worth about $88,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Columbia = 93.7).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Columbia, SC area earned a median of $123,380 in May 2025 (2,070 employed). The H-1B median here is $83,000, 33% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| American Business Solutions | 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 | $83,000 | 22 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $96,949 | 115 |
| Senior · Level III | $118,000 | 63 |
| Expert · Level IV | $142,495 | 34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $76,232 | $83,000 | 22 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $88,941 | $96,949 | 115 |
| Senior · Level III | $109,866 | $118,000 | 63 |
| Expert · Level IV | $130,770 | $142,495 | 34 |
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.