Welding Schools in South Carolina

If you’re looking to start a career as a welder and you’re located in South Carolina, your job prospects are looking good, especially if you want to specialize in car manufacturing.

By reading this article, you will find out more about salary expectations and education requirements for this profession.

How to Become a Welder

If you want to become a certified welder in South Carolina, there are several steps you need to follow:

1. Finish high school or get your GED- a high school diploma or equivalent will usually be required before admission to a trade school
2. Find the right training program- you will find a table with the schools that offer training programs in this field below.
3. Take welding certification testing offered by the American Welding Society

From trade schools to community colleges, there are many places where you can learn how to weld in South Carolina.

Although curriculum varies depending on the institution, a good welding school will usually teach you all the important skills you need for entry-level employment as a welder, such as:

• Reading and understanding blueprints
• How to weld metal parts and repair broken parts specialized equipment- depending on the school you choose you may learn one or more welding techniques.
• Calculating the dimensions of objects that will be welded together
• Making sure that the welding is correctly done
• Equipment usage and maintenance
• Following safety procedures

Welding programs usually last between 7 months and 2 years depending on the type of program and the curriculum.

Costs vary between a few thousand and more than $15,000 depending on the duration of the program and the type of credential it offers- for example, diploma programs usually are shorter and less expensive than programs that offer an associate’s degree.

In the table below we have compiled information about welding programs that is available in South Carolina.

Welders in South Carolina

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, South Carolina manufacturers account for 16.27% of the state’s total output and employ 12.04% of the workforce.

The total output from manufacturers in South Carolina was approximately $40.26 Billion in 2019.

The top manufacturer in South Carolina are motor vehicles and parts manufacturers with an output of approximately $15.7

Machinery manufacturers hold 3rd place with an output of approximately $5.3 Billion.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industries with the highest employment level for this profession are:

• Manufacturers of fabricated metal products
• Manufacturers of machinery
• Fabricated metal products manufacturing
• Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing
• Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors

Welder Wage in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage in South Carolina is $46,230.

According to salary.com, the median annual wage for South Carolina welders with less than 3 years of experience is $40,556 as of April 2021- lower than the state average but salaries increase as welders become more experienced and earn additional certifications.

As an entry-level welder, you can make anywhere between less than $32,000 and more than $51,000.

Earning a post-secondary degree or certificate can improve your starting salary.

The same report calculates the median annual salary for welders with 3-5 years of experience at $46,841 with wages ranging between less than $37,000 and more than $58,000 depending on other factors, including the industry of employment and the level of education.

Welders with 5-7 years of experience reportedly earn $56,725 on average.

The lowest 10 percent of experienced welders reportedly made less than $43,295 while the highest 10 percent made more than $73,560.

Welding Schools by City