Welder in South Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

South Carolina employs 7,380 welders, with a statewide median of $49,980 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)

South Carolina median pay: $49,980 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,720
Experienced (75th percentile): $58,370
Top earners (90th percentile): $64,510
Employed in South Carolina: 7,380
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for welders in major South Carolina markets:

Charlotte: $56,070 (3,370 employed)
Charleston: $56,060 (830 employed)
Augusta: $50,800 (680 employed)
Spartanburg: $49,820 (710 employed)
Columbia: $49,730 (830 employed)
Greenville: $49,130 (1,760 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina

Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $49,980 median stretches to roughly $53,340 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)

South Carolina is projected to grow welders employment +12.1%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 910 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Carolina License and Certification Requirements

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests — regulated by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven.

South Carolina does not license welders.
Train at a technical-college welding program or an apprenticeship.
Pass employer or AWS weld tests for the processes and codes you'll work (structural, pipe, etc.).

Official requirements: No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven →

Training in South Carolina

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. SC's manufacturing and shipyard work drive demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Carolina include:

Aiken Technical College — Certificate
Arclabs — Certificate
Central Carolina Technical College — Certificate
Denmark Technical College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in South Carolina?

The median wage for welders in South Carolina is $49,980 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,720, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $64,510. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Welder in South Carolina?

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. South Carolina does not license welders.

Is being a Welder a good career in South Carolina?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which South Carolina metros pay welders the most?

Among South Carolina metro areas, Charlotte leads at $56,070, followed by Charleston ($56,060), Augusta ($50,800). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Welder in South Carolina?

Real South Carolina options include Aiken Technical College, Arclabs, Central Carolina Technical College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in South Carolina?

South Carolina projects welders employment to change +12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 910 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET South Carolina wages · South Carolina licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.