Welder Salary in Florence, SC: $46,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Florence, SC earns a median $46,785/year (≈ $22.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Florence's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.8), that paycheck buys what $53,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Florence, SC, can expect a median annual compensation of approximately $46,785 in 2026, reflecting a significant local market for skilled trades. The salary range extends from $39,142 at the lower end to $60,865 for the top earners. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlight a local industry where traveling pipe welders might earn substantially more through per-diem benefits and tax advantages, especially when compared with standard shop pay in the area. This dynamic creates a unique economic landscape for welders in Florence, indicating competitive opportunities within specialized sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,142 | $18.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,785 | $22.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,170 | $25.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,865 | $29.26 |
Median Salary Position
16.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,723 (2026 est.). At $46,785, the local median is 16.3% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Florence Welder Pay Compares
Florence median: $46,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $51,412 | -9.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -16.30% less |
Welders in Florence, SC earn a median of $46,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 9.00% below the South Carolina state average of $51,412.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 13.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 86.774 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $46,785 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,916 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.24% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,180
2025 BLS Actual
$44,990
2026 Current Est.
$46,785
2019–2027 Growth
+5.4%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,652 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew -2.6% from $46,180 (2019) to $44,990 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,652 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,472 (5.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $39,142 – $45,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,360 – $46,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,785 – $53,170 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,170 – $60,865 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Florence
The welder job market in Florence currently employs around 300 professionals, providing a solid foundation for local talent. Given the cost of living index at 86.774, which is below the national average, welders may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost areas. The highest-paying employers are often associated with structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline projects, and petrochemical refinery work, where specialized skills can drive significant wage differences. Welders can optimize their earning potential by pursuing advanced certifications, such as the 6G pipe qualification or nuclear welding standards (NQA-1), which attract higher pay rates. Combination of location, certification level, and type of welding work—along with the choice between local opportunities and traveling gigs—largely influences income, making a strategic approach essential for anyone looking to maximize their welder pay in Florence, SC.
More salary data for Florence, 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
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 $44,990 for weldersin the Florence 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
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