Top 10 Software Development Jobs in South Carolina (+ Salaries)

Unless otherwise noted, all labor market data in this article is sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, current as of April 2026.

South Carolina’s software development sector is experiencing robust growth, with a projected 6.2% increase in demand for these roles. This means more opportunities for skilled professionals to earn competitive salaries, with many median salaries well over $100,000. If you’re looking to launch or advance your tech career, the Palmetto State offers a dynamic landscape.

Explore High-Paying Software Development Careers in South Carolina

1. Computer Vision Engineer

A Computer Vision Engineer develops and implements algorithms related to computer vision and perception for autonomous vehicles, robotics, and fields where computers interact with humans in the physical world.

Salary Range: Entry-level professionals can expect around $102,239, with a median salary of $159,765, and top earners reaching $202,011.
Demand in SC: Low (4 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Communication, Influencing Skills, Knowledge Transfer, Research, Management. Salary-boosting skills include Object Tracking, Visual Odometry, and Image Segmentation.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Secret Clearance (50% of job postings).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Integer Technologies, Ford, Meta.

2. Software Development / Engineering Manager

A Software Development or Engineering Manager leads teams of software developers who design or improve computer software. They manage and oversee the software development process, direct the work of software engineers, and may handle project budgets or staff hiring.

Salary Range: Entry-level starts around $117,374, with a median salary of $152,016, and top earners reaching $180,058.
Demand in SC: Medium (107 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Leadership, Communication, Management, Problem Solving, Innovation.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Project Management Professional Certification (3%), Public Trust Clearance (2%), CompTIA Security+ (2%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: LPL Financial, Cribl, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ford, Lumen Technologies.

3. Robotics Software Engineer

A Robotics Software Engineer develops and builds software systems related to the operation and development of robots, typically for the manufacturing or transportation industries.

Salary Range: Entry-level roles typically start at $99,162, with a median salary of $146,369, and top earners reaching $184,177.
Demand in SC: Low (3 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Self-Starter, Ideation, Communication, Information Technology, Consulting. Salary-boosting skills include Linux and Robotics.
Top Employers in South Carolina: Siemens.
Career Advancement Paths: Deep Learning Engineer (potential average salary increase of $21,779), Machine Learning Engineer (+$23,562), Software Development / Engineering Manager (+$32,288).

4. Solutions / Application Architect

A Solutions or Application Architect develops and defines the technical architecture for a software application. Your duties may include developing new applications, creating prototypes, running tests, and writing documentation.

Salary Range: Entry-level professionals can expect around $113,282, with a median salary of $144,818, and top earners reaching $173,370.
Demand in SC: Medium (335 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Communication, Leadership, Problem Solving, Management, Sales. Salary-boosting skills include Infrastructure Architecture, Microsoft Azure, and Computer Science.
Certifications that Boost Pay: AWS Certified Solutions Architect (3%), Salesforce Certification (2%), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (2%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Shi International Ltd, Lumen Technologies, Ensono, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Concentrix.
Career Advancement Paths: Software Development / Engineering Manager (+$32,156), Generative Artificial Intelligence Engineer (+$17,075).

5. Software Architect (General)

A Software Architect develops and defines the architecture for computer software and applications projects. This role oversees the entire software development process, analyzes customer or user needs, defines system architecture, and leads development teams.

Salary Range: Entry-level starts around $98,532, with a median salary of $139,613, and top earners reaching $169,370.
Demand in SC: Medium (433 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Communication, Management, Problem Solving, Information Technology, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving). Salary-boosting skills include Microsoft Azure and Computer Science.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (9%), Citrix Administration Certification (6%), NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) (6%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Lumen Technologies, COOLSOFT, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Confluent, Concentrix.
Career Advancement Paths: Software Development / Engineering Manager (+$34,353), Director of Engineering (+$18,246), Artificial Intelligence Engineer (General) (+$16,404).

6. Workday Developer

A Workday Developer is a computer programmer who designs and implements Workday Human Resources Information Systems, an enterprise tool used by companies for storing and analyzing personnel data.

Salary Range: Entry-level professionals can expect around $112,902, with a median salary of $138,846, and top earners reaching $166,737.
Demand in SC: Low (32 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Communication, Management, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Information Technology, Business Administration. Salary-boosting skills include Workday (Software), Full Life Cycle Implementation, and Scenario Design.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Functional Skills Qualification (6%), CompTIA Security+ (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Amentum, Boeing, Sharecare, CVS Health, Eliassen Group.
Career Advancement Paths: SAP Manager (+$28,731), SAP Architect (+$25,337), Software Architect (General) (+$15,150).

7. Performance Engineer

A Performance Engineer designs and develops computer software and applications using system performance engineering strategies. This role assists with software and application design, coding, testing, and quality assurance.

Salary Range: Entry-level starts around $105,073, with a median salary of $141,218, and top earners reaching $160,804.
Demand in SC: Low (65 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Communication, Coordinating, Leadership, Detail Oriented, Innovation. Salary-boosting skills include Computer Science, ModeliCA, and Vehicle Dynamics.
Certifications that Boost Pay: EPA Universal Certification (3%), EPA Type II Certification (3%), EPA 608 Technician Certification (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: GE Vernova, General Motors, Westinghouse Electric Company, GovCIO, JLL.
Career Advancement Paths: Platform Engineer (+$17,090), Software Development / Engineering Manager (+$47,127), Machine Learning Engineer (+$38,401).

8. Video Game Developer

A Video Game Developer is a software developer who takes a designer’s concepts and builds them into a playable game for users. They write code for games across various formats, such as PCs, consoles, web browsers, and mobile phones.

Salary Range: Entry-level roles typically start at $82,636, with a median salary of $132,091, and top earners reaching $189,855.
Demand in SC: Low (11 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Mathematics, Planning, Management. Salary-boosting skills include Playtesting, 3D Game Development, and Unity Engine.
Top Employers in South Carolina: Meta, GovCIO, Acxiom, South Carolina Stingrays, Intel.
Career Advancement Paths: Software Development / Engineering Manager (+$29,207), Deep Learning Engineer (+$18,698), Machine Learning Engineer (+$20,481).

9. iOS Developer / Engineer

An iOS Developer or Engineer designs, builds, or improves mobile applications for iOS smartphones and mobile tablets. This role oversees the entire software development process, analyzes user needs, designs programs, writes code, tests designs, and documents programs.

Salary Range: Entry-level professionals can expect around $105,035, with a median salary of $126,424, and top earners reaching $177,824.
Demand in SC: Low (19 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Verbal Communication Skills, Leadership, Management. Salary-boosting skills include watchOS, Apple Watch, and Objective-C (Programming Language).
Certifications that Boost Pay: Public Trust Clearance (5%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Adidev Technologies, Coforge, Marriott International, Concentrix, LPL Financial.
Career Advancement Paths: Software Development / Engineering Manager (+$27,806).

10. Embedded Software Engineer

An Embedded Software Engineer designs or improves the embedded computer software that supports specialized hardware for certain products, devices, or systems. This role oversees the entire development process, analyzes needs, designs programs, writes code, tests designs, and documents programs.

Salary Range: Entry-level starts around $103,191, with a median salary of $125,831, and top earners reaching $170,267.
Demand in SC: Low (34 active postings). The industry is projected to grow by 6.2%.
Top Skills: Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication, Planning, Leadership, Problem Solving. Salary-boosting skills include Firmware Development, C (Programming Language), and Linux.
Certifications that Boost Pay: DO-178B/C (Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification) (12%), Secret Clearance (3%), Product Certification (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Ford, Actalent, GE Vernova, Atlas Copco Process Equipment Co., Ltd., Scientific Research Corporation.
Career Advancement Paths: Software Systems Engineer (+$17,297), Robotics Software Engineer (+$20,495), Video Game Developer (+$23,576).

Ready to explore these exciting software development career paths in South Carolina? Discover more about these roles, find educational opportunities, and connect with potential employers. Create a free profile on Tallo.com to get started on your journey today!