Welder Hourly Pay in Conway, SC: $22.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Conway, SC runs $22.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,585 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Conway's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,955 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Conway, South Carolina, a welder earns a median hourly rate of $22.40, significantly lower than the national median of $26.87. This discrepancy suggests that welders in the area may face different market conditions and cost-of-living influences. For part-time welders working three days a week, this income can yield about $20,780 annually, while full-time welders can vastly increase their earnings. The hourly range in Conway spans from $17.73 at the entry level to $30.09 for those at the top of the profession, depending on their expertise and experience. Welders operate in various settings, including fabrication shops and oil fields, where these hourly rates translate into critical earnings for both traditional employees and per-diem workers, whether they are part of turnaround crews or mobile rig operations.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.73 | $141.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.18 | $161.48 |
| Median (P50) | $22.40 | $179.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.46 | $203.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.09 | $240.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Conway
Based on $22.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.40/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Conway, SC can expect to earn approximately $46,591 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,879. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Conway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Conway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $895.98 | $3,883 | $46,591 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $537.59 | $2,330 | $27,955 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.39 | $1,553 | $18,636 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Conway) | $22.40 |
| 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 Conway, SC earn a median of $46,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 9.40% below the South Carolina state average of $51,419.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.40/hr = $27,955/year (purchasing power: $30,551).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,591/year (purchasing power: $50,919).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Conway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Conway grew 26.5% from $17.03/hr (2019) to $21.54/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.29/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 Conway 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 Conway
Exploring the dynamics of welder hourly pay in Conway reveals significant earning potential for those willing to travel or work on specialized projects. A part-time welder earning $22.40 per hour for just 24 hours a week takes home around $20,780 annually, while full-timers can earn considerably more, reflecting the stark differences in work hours and commitment. Per diem welders often see the biggest earnings, as they can add daily rates ranging from $80 to $175 to their base of $40-$70 per hour for jobs that require travel. This is particularly common among pipeline welders and those involved in high-demand projects like refinery turnarounds, where weekend work may even reach $50-$80 per hour or more. While many employers in manufacturing and construction pay competitive wages, benefits offered can vary greatly; welders might accept lower hourly pay for comprehensive benefits or seek higher wages without them. Negotiating effectively remains key, particularly in a market with diverse employment opportunities ranging from structural steel to nuclear plant maintenance in Conway, SC.
More salary data for Conway, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Conway. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Conway is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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