Welder Hourly Pay in Mount Pleasant, SC: $25.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Mount Pleasant, SC runs $25.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,156 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Mount Pleasant's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,290 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, the welder hourly pay is projected at a median of $25.07 in 2026, which is somewhat lower than the national hourly median of $26.87. This difference may influence local welders who are considering part-time opportunities that typically include working three days a week, which can result in a comfortable weekly income while balancing other commitments. For those involved in per-diem projects, hourly rates can significantly vary and might reflect the work settings, from fabrication shop production lines to more specialized environments like nuclear plant maintenance or shipyard operations. The hourly compensation spans from $18.36 for entry-level positions to as high as $35.51 for top earners in the region, highlighting a range that offers both growth potential and a chance to specialize in high-demand welding techniques such as TIG or flux core processes.
About the Mount Pleasant 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) | $18.36 | $146.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.16 | $169.30 |
| Median (P50) | $25.07 | $200.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.17 | $233.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.51 | $284.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mount Pleasant
Based on $25.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.07/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mount Pleasant, SC can expect to earn approximately $52,150 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,086. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mount Pleasant.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mount Pleasant
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,002.88 | $4,346 | $52,150 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $601.73 | $2,607 | $31,290 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $401.15 | $1,738 | $20,860 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Mount Pleasant) | $25.07 |
| 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 Mount Pleasant, SC earn a median of $52,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.69% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.50% above the South Carolina state average of $51,385.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.07/hr = $31,290/year (purchasing power: $34,197).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,150/year (purchasing power: $56,994).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Mount Pleasant grew 26.5% from $19.06/hr (2019) to $24.11/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.07/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 Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant
As welders in Mount Pleasant examine their earning potential, part-time workers putting in around 24 hours a week could foreseeably bring home approximately $31,736 annually, which contrasts with full-time positions that typically provide a more stable financial return over time. In the realm of per-diem providers, travel assignments can elevate this income, with estimates suggesting a per diem welder pay in Mount Pleasant could range significantly, from $80 to $175 per day, depending on the project. Additionally, certain welding roles, like refinery turnaround crews, may offer weekend double-time, while rig welder owner-operators can command rates between $90 and $160 per hour, especially when leveraging specialty certifications. Given the variability in rates related to different welding sectors, and the trade-off between hourly rates and benefits, it becomes essential for professionals to consider their options carefully. Negotiation skills can also play a vital role; those in Mount Pleasant might benefit from understanding the local market's demand for specialized skills and the effects of union affiliations versus non-union jobs on their overall compensation.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant. 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 Mount Pleasant 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