Welder Salary in Easley, SC: $47,686 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Easley, SC earns a median $47,686/year (≈ $22.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Easley's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $52,116 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Easley, South Carolina, command a median salary of $47,686, which is approximately 14.69% lower than the national median of $55,895. The salary range shows a significant spread, with earnings starting at $38,187 at the lower percentile and reaching up to $64,681 for those at the high end. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, reflect the specific market and regional price considerations affecting compensation. For welders considering their career options in Easley, understanding these salary dynamics is essential, particularly as the local job market features opportunities that link closely with rig welder ownership and the associated equipment investment trade-offs.
About the Easley Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,187 | $18.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,285 | $20.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,686 | $22.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,418 | $26.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,681 | $31.09 |
Median Salary Position
14.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Easley
In Easley, SC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,494 (2026 est.). At $47,686, the local median is 14.69% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Easley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Easley Welder Pay Compares
Easley median: $47,686/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Easley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $51,385 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -14.69% less |
Welders in Easley, SC earn a median of $47,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.69% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.20% below the South Carolina state average of $51,385.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Easley has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Easley, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $47,686 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,116 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,250
2025 BLS Actual
$45,856
2026 Current Est.
$47,686
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Easley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,106 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,047 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,686 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,588 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Easley metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,250 (2019) to $45,856 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,588 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,338 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Easley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,187 – $43,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,285 – $47,686 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,686 – $54,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,418 – $64,681 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Easley
The local job market for welding in Easley has only four welders currently employed, creating a competitive environment where specialized skills can lead to higher pay. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, welders can feel the impact of their take-home salaries, emphasizing the need for strategic planning when it comes to employment choices. Structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welding are among the sectors that offer the most lucrative opportunities. The variation in pay can be attributed to diverse factors, including certification levels like 6G and ASME IX, with traveling welders often receiving higher salaries supplemented by per-diem payments. To maximize earnings, welders in Easley should consider additional certifications and seek employment with companies engaged in high-demand industries, leveraging their skills effectively to navigate local economic fluctuations.
More salary data for Easley, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,856 for weldersin the Easley metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Easley 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