Welder Hourly Pay in Spartanburg, SC: $24.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Spartanburg, SC runs $24.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,808 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Spartanburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,082 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, welders earn a median hourly rate of $24.91, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This rate applies to various welding environments, including fabrication shop production lines and pipeline welding stations. For part-time welders working three days a week, this equates to a solid earning potential, though it may vary depending on specific projects or contracts. The hourly range varies significantly within the industry, with entry-level welders earning approximately $20.06 while top earners can make up to $32.76 per hour. Such figures, derived from official BLS data, highlight the diverse earning potential in this field, especially for those working in sectors like oil and gas or manufacturing in Spartanburg.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.06 | $160.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.32 | $186.60 |
| Median (P50) | $24.91 | $199.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.34 | $234.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.76 | $262.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spartanburg
Based on $24.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.91/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spartanburg, SC can expect to earn approximately $51,804 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,887. With a cost-of-living index of 91.05 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spartanburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spartanburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $996.22 | $4,317 | $51,804 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $597.73 | $2,590 | $31,082 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.49 | $1,727 | $20,721 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Spartanburg) | $24.91 |
| 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 Spartanburg, SC earn a median of $51,808 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.80% above the South Carolina state average of $51,397.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.91/hr = $31,082/year (purchasing power: $34,137).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,804/year (purchasing power: $56,895).
CoL index: 91.051 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Spartanburg grew 8.4% from $22.09/hr (2019) to $23.95/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.90/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 Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg
Exploring the financial outcomes of part-time welders reveals interesting contrasts; for instance, a welder working 24 hours a week can typically bring home around $31,165 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Additionally, welders taking per diem roles or traveling for specialized jobs often see enhanced pay, with companies offering $80-$175 per day in per diem on top of base rates ranging from $40-$70 per hour. Those engaged in refinery turnarounds can earn upwards of $50-$80 hourly, with prospects for double-time on weekends. Employers in the area, from structural steel fabrication to nuclear power plant maintenance, offer varied hourly rates based on specialization, which creates room for negotiation. Welders may opt for positions with slightly lower pay if they come with benefits, indicating a critical trade-off in the industry. Understanding these dynamics is essential for welders in Spartanburg looking to maximize their earnings while navigating contractual and hourly wage discussions.
More salary data for Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg. 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