Software Developers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $103,400 -22.3% vs national
Median hourly $49.71
10th percentile $62,810
90th percentile $166,980
Employed locally 2,270
National median $133,080

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Software Developers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,810
    25th
    $77,170
    50th (median)
    $103,400
    75th
    $130,550
    90th
    $166,980

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Software Developers salary vs area income 156% Median Software Developers salary is 56% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Software Developers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,270
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $174,910
    California $170,910
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $169,340
    Washington $166,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $163,020

    Nearby metros — Software Developers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $174,910
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $132,100
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $125,460
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $124,790
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $123,410
    Spartanburg, SC $117,950

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Systems Analysts$87,880
    Computer User Support Specialists$55,050
    Computer Occupations, All Other$88,770
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators$86,600
    Data Scientists$90,780
    Computer Network Support Specialists$69,190

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Software Developers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Software Developers in Columbia, SC is $49.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.91 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Software Developers salaries?

    The median Software Developers salary in Columbia, SC is 22.3% below the national median of $133,080. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Software Developers in Columbia?

    Entry-level Software Developers (10th percentile) earn around $62,810 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,170.