Welder Salary in South Carolina: $52,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $52,100/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $56,940 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($57,255), Charleston ($56,060), Hilton Head Island ($54,030).
For welders in South Carolina, the 2026 average median salary is projected at $52,100, which is approximately 6.8% lower than the national median of $55,895. This state has significant variation in wages across its cities; North Charleston offers the highest average salary at $59,539, while Sumter provides the lowest at $46,317, creating a gap of $13,222. The disparity in pay can be attributed to local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of industries requiring welding services. In South Carolina, there are specific licensing requirements and a clearly defined scope of practice for welders, which can influence job opportunities and salaries. Factors driving demand include the state’s growing manufacturing sector, particularly in aerospace and automotive industries, which contribute to a projected annual growth rate of 3.99% for welding jobs. The total number of welders employed in South Carolina stands at 4,961, with metro areas like Charleston ($58,297), Hilton Head Island ($56,186), Bluffton ($55,118), and Greer ($52,323) reflecting various levels of opportunity based on local industry needs. Given the ongoing growth in relevant sectors, the job market for welders in the state appears stable with positive prospects for future employment.
South Carolina Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $35,799 (lowest entry-level) to $85,738 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina welders earn 6.79% less than the national median ($-3,795/year difference).
South Carolina Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in South Carolina range from $41,090 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $68,467 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $52,100. The South Carolina median is $3,795 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $25.05/hr. Approximately 4,961 welders are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,262
2025 BLS Actual
$50,101
2026 Current Est.
$52,100
2019–2027 Growth
+25.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,262 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,714 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,063 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,235 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,101 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,179 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 15.8% from $43,262 (2019) to $50,101 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,917 (25.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Welders in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $59,539 | 91.5 | $65,070 |
| Bluffton | $55,118 | 91.5 | $60,238 |
| Charleston | $58,297 | 100.962 | $57,742 |
| Hilton Head Island | $56,186 | 98.017 | $57,323 |
| Greer | $52,323 | 91.5 | $57,184 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,090 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $52,100 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $68,467 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $59,539 |
| 2 | Charleston | $58,297 |
| 3 | Hilton Head Island | $56,186 |
| 4 | Bluffton | $55,118 |
| 5 | Greer | $52,323 |
| 6 | Anderson | $52,270 |
| 7 | Mount Pleasant | $52,156 |
| 8 | Spartanburg | $51,808 |
| 9 | Columbia | $51,714 |
| 10 | Rock Hill | $51,195 |
| 11 | Greenville | $51,090 |
| 12 | Aiken | $50,971 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $50,899 |
| 14 | Mauldin | $50,600 |
| 15 | Summerville | $50,328 |
| 16 | Simpsonville | $49,499 |
| 17 | Fort Mill | $49,475 |
| 18 | Goose Creek | $49,360 |
| 19 | Lexington | $48,552 |
| 20 | Easley | $47,686 |
| 21 | Myrtle Beach | $47,461 |
| 22 | Tega Cay | $47,424 |
| 23 | Clemson | $47,334 |
| 24 | Florence | $46,785 |
| 25 | Conway | $46,585 |
| 26 | Sumter | $46,317 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore welder hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced welders.
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in South Carolina?
How many welders are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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