Welder Salary in Spartanburg, SC: $51,808 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Spartanburg, SC earns a median $51,808/year (≈ $24.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Spartanburg's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $56,900 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the welder salary in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is projected to reflect a median annual compensation of $51,808. This figure comes from detailed estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlights a competitive environment for welders who work across various sectors. The salary range for welders in Spartanburg spans from $41,731 at the 10th percentile to $68,124 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial pay variations based on experience and specialization. Pipe welders, especially those certified at the 6G level, often command the highest wages, while structural and production welders typically earn less. In light of these dynamics, the Spartanburg market presents intriguing opportunities for skilled welders, driven by both demand and specialization.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,731 | $20.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,511 | $23.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,808 | $24.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,021 | $29.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,124 | $32.76 |
Median Salary Position
7.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spartanburg
In Spartanburg, SC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,393 (2026 est.). At $51,808, the local median is 7.31% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spartanburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spartanburg Welder Pay Compares
Spartanburg median: $51,808/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spartanburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $51,397 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.31% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spartanburg has a cost of living 8.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spartanburg, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.051 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,808 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,900 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.83% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,960
2025 BLS Actual
$49,820
2026 Current Est.
$51,808
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,808 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,875 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spartanburg metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 8.4% from $45,960 (2019) to $49,820 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,875 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,915 (17.22%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,731 – $48,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,511 – $51,808 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,808 – $61,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,021 – $68,124 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Spartanburg
Spartanburg’s job market currently employs around 710 welders, with a cost of living index at 91.051, making it relatively favorable for welders to maximize their purchasing power. Employers that offer the most competitive welder pay in Spartanburg include those involved in oil and gas pipeline welding, typically providing higher wages due to the traveling nature of the work and the specialized skills required. Factors such as certification levels, including ASME Section IX and NQA-1, also contribute to salary discrepancies, with those skilled in underwater or nuclear welding generally earning premiums. Additionally, welders can enhance their salaries by pursuing opportunities with structured employers in aerospace or manufacturing. The spread between low and high pay can be influenced by traveling positions that include per-diem compensation and the economic cycles within the oil industry. For local welders, investing in high-demand certifications and maintaining flexibility can significantly improve earning potential in this evolving market.
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
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 $49,820 for weldersin the Spartanburg 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