Welder Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $28.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Charleston, SC runs $28.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,297 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,976 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, SC, the projected welder hourly pay in 2026 stands at $28.03, surpassing the national median of $26.87. This competitive rate offers substantial earning potential, especially for part-time workers operating on a 24-hour workweek, allowing them to take home a respectable income while also balancing personal commitments. Welders in various settings, including fabrication shops and refinery turnaround projects, can expect to see hourly earnings ranging from $21.53 at the entry-level (P10) to approximately $36.94 (P90) for those at the top of the pay scale. With 830 welders currently employed in the Charleston area, it’s apparent that the demand for skilled labor remains robust, driven by diverse industry needs, such as manufacturing and pipeline construction.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.53 | $172.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.23 | $193.84 |
| Median (P50) | $28.03 | $224.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.93 | $247.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.94 | $295.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $28.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.03/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $58,293 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,630. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,121.01 | $4,858 | $58,293 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $672.61 | $2,915 | $34,976 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.40 | $1,943 | $23,317 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Charleston) | $28.03 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Charleston, SC earn a median of $58,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.30% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 13.40% above the South Carolina state average of $51,408.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.03/hr = $34,976/year (purchasing power: $34,642).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,293/year (purchasing power: $57,737).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Charleston grew 26.3% from $21.34/hr (2019) to $26.95/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.14/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Charleston
Part-time welders in a typical three-day workweek can anticipate an annual income of around $43,000, significantly lower than full-time earnings but still viable for many seeking flexible work. For welders engaged in per diem or agency roles, the financial landscape becomes more lucrative, with daily per diem payments averaging between $80 and $175 on top of hourly rates that can reach $40 to $70. In specialized fields like refinery turnaround projects, operators may command hourly wages ranging from $50 to $80, often doubling on weekends, illustrating how specific job types can dramatically influence income. Structural and fabrication-based welders in Charleston generally experience hourly pay variance influenced by employer type—be it commercial, industrial, or self-employed settings. In negotiations, it's valuable for welders to consider the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefits, as some employers offer lower pay in exchange for health insurance coverage, while others provide higher hourly rates without benefits.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Charleston?
Are welders in Charleston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Charleston?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Charleston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov