Software Developers in South Carolina. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Software Developer in South Carolina earned $108,690 in 2024, about 22% below the national median of $138,520. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
South Carolina's cost-of-living index sits at 96.6, meaning prices here run roughly 3.4% below the national average. After adjusting for that, the effective gap narrows to something closer to 19%. The state median still trails the national figure by a meaningful amount, but the difference in what the money actually buys is smaller than the headline numbers suggest.
The spread between earners here is wide. A developer at the 10th percentile earned $63,500 in 2024. One at the 90th earned $179,670. Top earners made roughly 2.8 times what bottom earners made. That kind of range usually reflects real differences in experience, technical specialty, and the kinds of companies doing the hiring. A mid-level developer at the 75th percentile ($153,780) comes close to the national median for the same role, which suggests the gap compresses considerably once someone moves past the early career stage.
The average wage of $119,610 ran above the median, which tells us a smaller group of senior developers pulls the average up. That is a common pattern in software occupations, and South Carolina is no exception.
On the outlook side, BLS projects Software Developer employment to grow 15.8% between 2024 and 2034, a rate the agency categorizes as much faster than average. That projection is national, not state-specific, but the occupational trajectory is broadly favorable.
Salary distribution
Where South Carolina software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $95,750 and $167,750, with a median of $129,450.
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Software Developers pay by experience level in South Carolina
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Software Developers specialties in South Carolina
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 536 certified offers. The most common variant is Software Engineer at a median of $119,687.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | Optum Services, Inc. | 181 | $119,687 |
| Software Developer | RANDSTAD DIGITAL, LLC | 180 | $112,424 |
| Applications Consultant | CAPGEMINI AMERICA INC | 41 | $134,400 |
| Senior Engineer, Software Developer | LPL Financial LLC | 30 | $133,302 |
| AVP Tech, Software Development | LPL Financial LLC | 23 | $165,000 |
| Data Engineer | LPL Financial LLC | 15 | $155,688 |
| VP, Software Development Manager | LPL Financial LLC | 13 | $186,234 |
| Senior Developer | NAGARRO, INC | 12 | $117,883 |
| Programmer Analyst | Dominion Energy Services, Inc. | 11 | $96,950 |
| Technical Architect | Coforge Limited | 11 | $116,000 |
| Technical Lead | Coforge Limited | 10 | $114,243 |
| Solution Architect | Capgemini America Inc | 9 | $130,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Software Developers in South Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 957 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $112,986.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | CAPGEMINI AMERICA INC | 573 | $112,986 |
| Finance and insurance | LPL Financial LLC | 184 | $138,047 |
| Professional services | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 99 | $133,000 |
| Manufacturing | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 43 | $133,536 |
| Retail and wholesale | Amazon.com Services LLC | 21 | $135,000 |
| Real estate | Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. | 13 | $133,536 |
| Healthcare | ChenMed, LLC | 7 | $148,670 |
| Energy and utilities | Dominion Energy Services, Inc. | 6 | $108,045 |
| Transportation and logistics | Americold Logistics LLC | 4 | $154,669 |
| Education | University of South Carolina | 3 | $102,830 |
| Media and entertainment | Fox Cable Network Services, LLC | 3 | $145,000 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Open Avenues Foundation | 1 | $112,424 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Carolina over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+15.8%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Software Developers in South Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in South Carolina is $129,450.
- How does South Carolina compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The South Carolina median is -9.4% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in South Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,010 and the 90th-percentile at $212,460, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Software Developers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 15.8% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Software Developers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.