If you want to start a rewarding career in trades without spending four years in higher education, the welding profession is worth exploring.
The mean wage reported by South Carolina welders was $43,430 on average, as of May 2023, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to complete technical and on-the-job training that teaches you the skills needed for entry into this profession.
Although the curriculum varies depending on the program duration and the credential it leads to, welding students typically learn about:
- Shop Math
- Materials used in welding
- Welding symbols
- Blueprint reading
- Types of welding joints performed in pipe welding
- Welding processes
- Welding safety
- And more
Programs are designed to follow American Welding Society codes and standards.
Most programs teach, hands-on, the following processes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, and plasma cutting.
Program duration varies between a few months if you want to earn a certificate and two years for an associate in applied science degree.
To help you choose the format that best meets your learning style, we have compiled a selection of the best welding schools in South Carolina and the programs they offer.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Arclabs Welding School
About the School
Arclabs Welding School offers top-tier instructors, industry-grade welding labs, and a supportive student community to help students launch their careers.
The school has 9,600 square feet of training space to give students room for serious hands-on learning.
58 individual state-of-the-art welding booths are available.
Day and night sessions are available to meet students’ schedules.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Advanced Welding Program- a 900-hour program that teaches all four major welding processes: SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and GTAW
- Master Welder Program- a 1,300-hour program with a concentration in Pipe Welding and Structural Welding
- Specialty Seminars- a 70-hour program that gives students the option to focus on one process
Contact Information
- Address: 3185 Industry Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418
- Phone: 843.261.0044
- Website: https://arclabs.edu
#2South Carolina School of Welding
About the School
South Carolina School of Welding offers vocational training in welding.
Most hands-on programs available at the school take less than 24 weeks to complete to help students get out in the field faster.
The school is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The following processes are taught at the school:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Vertical Up
- Vertical Down
- Open Butt, Groove, and Fillet Welds
- Pipe Positions: 2G, 5G, and 6G
- And more
Lab time also encompasses training on torch cutting, fabrication techniques, tolerances, measurements, machine operation, and maintenance.
Students have the opportunity at the end of their training to test in accordance with the appropriate industry codes.
Contact Information
- Address: 106 Old Jackson Hwy, Beech Island, SC, 29842
- Phone: 803-215-3224
- Website: https://www.southcarolinaschoolofwelding.com
#3Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg Community College offers students the opportunity to develop their skills and prepare for a real-world setting.
SCC offers classes full-time, in an eligible degree program, while students work and gain experience part-time with a sponsor company that may even provide tuition assistance.
Courses Offered
The following welding programs are available at the college:
- Welding Certificate Program
- Welding Associate Degree
- Advanced Welding Certificate Program
- Noncredit Welding Certifications
The Welding Certificate program includes the following classes:
- Print Reading
- Gas and Arc Welding
- Arc Welding
- Specialized Arc Welding
- Advanced Pipe Welding
- Destructive Testing
- Gas and Arc Welding
- Advanced Pipe Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 107 Community College Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303
- Phone: 864-592-4600
- Website: https://www.sccsc.edu
#4Horry Georgetown Technical College
About the School
Horry Georgetown Technical College offers an Advanced Welding Technologies program that leads to a certificate.
The program is available at the Conway and Georgetown locations.
HGTC’s Advanced Welding certificate provides students with entry-level training and practical skills in Thermal cutting, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW in ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
In addition to preparing students for AWS welder performance certifications, students will also learn shop and site safety practices, blueprint reading, principles of metallurgy, construction math, hand and power tool usage, and basic layout techniques in the fabrication industry.
Courses Offered
The Advanced Welding Technologies Certificate requirements include:
- Gas and Arc Welding
- Welding Safety and Health
- Arc Welding
- Inert Gas Welding Ferrous
- Weld Testing
- Pipefitting and Welding
- Welding Metallurgy
- Print Reading
- And more
The certificate includes 34 credit hours in total.
Contact Information
- Address: 2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, South Carolina 29526
- Phone: (843) 347-3186
- Website: https://www.hgtc.edu
#5Norris Mechanical Welding School
About the School
Norris Mechanical Welding School offers hands-on welder training that leads to industry-recognized certifications.
The training includes:
- Stick welding
- MIG welding
- TIG welding
- Carbon and stainless steel pipe welding
The school offers the following services:
- Flexible scheduling & Consultation
- On-Site training
- Welding Procedure Specifications
- Procedure Qualification Records
- Welding Qualification Testing
All testing is conducted in accordance with American Welding Society codes and standards.
Contact Information
- Address: 100 New Prospect Church Rd. Anderson, SC 29625
- Phone: (864) 958-6187
- Website: https://norrismechanicalsc.com
#6Technical College of the Lowcountry
About the School
Technical College of the Lowcountry offers a Welding program that can be completed in only eight weeks.
The program provides the hands-on training that prepares students for a flexible career in industries from automotive fabrication to aerospace.
The program includes 160 hours and costs $5,000.
Students learn the skills that prepare them for a flexible career in industries from automotive fabrication to aerospace.
Successful completion of the course of study recommends 100% attendance.
If the student attendance drops below 80%, students will be encouraged and given the opportunity to attend the next scheduled class for the course they enrolled in.
Contact Information
- Address: 921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC, 29902
- Phone: (843) 525-8207
- Website: https://www.tcl.edu
#7Trident Technical College
About the School
Trident Technical College offers a Welding program that has the following accreditations:
- AWS S.E.N.S.E. Level I and Level II Program
- NCCER-certified trainers
- PrimED Testing Facility
Authorized Department of Transportation Welder Training Facility.
Courses Offered
The following degree and certificate options are available at the college:
- Welding Associate Degree
- Certificates in:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding Fundamentals
- Introduction to Arc Welding
- Technology Core
- Welding Gas Metal Arc and Flux Cored Arc
- Welding Gas Tungsten Arc
- Welding Shielded Metal Arc
Contact Information
- Address: 7000 Rivers Ave. Charleston, SC 29406
- Phone: Toll-Free: 877-349-7184
- Website: https://www.tridenttech.edu
#8Greenville Technical College
About the School
Greenville Technical College offers more than 100 programs.
Programs that prepare students for new careers in 90 days or less are available at the college.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program available at the Greenville Technical College gives students the opportunity to study the fundamentals or pursue more specialized skills in a well-equipped facility where experienced, certified instructors help them lay the foundation for a lifelong career.
The following programs are offered at Greenville Technical College’s Brashier Campus:
- Welding and Robotic Technology Certificate in Applied Science
- Welding, Specialized Certificate in Applied Science
The Welding and Robotic Technology Certificate in Applied Science includes courses such as:
- Arc Welding
- Inert Gas Welding Ferrous
- Introduction to Welding
- Inert Gas Welding of Aluminum
- Print Read & Sketch for Structural Welding
- Fabrication Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 5616, Greenville, SC 29606
- Phone: (864) 250-8000
- Website: https://www.gvltec.edu
#9Aiken Technical College
About the School
Aiken Technical College offers a variety of associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates that help students reach their career goals.
The college’s curriculum is reviewed regularly in consultation with advisory boards made up of area professionals with knowledge in the field.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the college:
- Associate in Applied Science- General Technology
- Certificate- Basic Welding Certificate
- Certificate- Advanced Welding Certificate
The Basic Welding Certificate includes the following major course requirements:
- Industrial Print Reading
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Welding Fundamentals
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
In total, this program includes 17 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829
- Phone: 803-593-9231
- Website: https://www.atc.edu
#10Denmark Technical College
About the School
Denmark Technical College provides students with the training and tools they need to start a lucrative career in welding.
In only two semesters, students attain the skills needed to secure their future.
Denmark Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to Award Associate Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates.
Courses Offered
Students learn safety, blueprint reading, testing, oxyfuel, groove welding, fillet welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, pipe welding, and expertise.
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to Welding
- Gas Welding and Cutting
- Print Reading
- Gas and Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Arc Welding
- Weld Quality
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1126 Solomon Blatt Blvd. Denmark, South Carolina 29042-0327
- Phone: (803) 793-5176
- Website: https://www.denmarktech.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in South Carolina
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$38K
|
|
|
$50K
|
|
|
$66K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in South Carolina
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,160 | $54,200 | $26.06 | $68,750 | $41,870 |
| Columbia, SC | 860 | $48,620 | $23.37 | $61,430 | $35,880 |
| Florence, SC | 430 | $49,050 | $23.58 | $59,250 | $40,090 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 1,530 | $49,750 | $23.92 | $61,290 | $39,380 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 70 | $49,370 | $23.74 | $64,790 | $35,840 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | 120 | $46,180 | $22.20 | $63,330 | $32,050 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 780 | $53,570 | $25.76 | $68,590 | $40,400 |
| Sumter, SC | 150 | $43,340 | $20.84 | $54,670 | $35,210 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in South Carolina, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and choose wisely!
