17 Best Welding Schools in South Carolina:Licensing Steps

Despite being a centuries-old craft, welding is still vital in today’s society. It also has a wide range of applications and is incredibly versatile.

You can design, build, repair, and weld anything made of metal if you have a welding license. You could work in the building or automobile industries, or you could construct space shuttles, airplanes, or ships.

Even artists use welders in their work. Work for an organization, work for yourself as an independent contractor, or start your own metalworking business after earning a degree from one of these welding schools in South Carolina. 

The List of Welding Schools in South Carolina

Also See: 26 Top Welding Schools in Tennessee; Their Program Details 

Central Carolina Technical College

The inert gas, oxyacetylene, electric arc welding, and plasma cutting techniques are covered in depth in the Welding Certificate program.

There are employment opportunities for structural steel welders, shipyard welders, maintenance welders, construction welders, and erection welders.

The following career clusters are aligned with this program: manufacturing and architecture & construction. 

Tuition: Click here for details 

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Greenville Technical College

You have options when it comes to welding education. Some courses provide just the right amount of training to work in the field.

You aren’t giving your skills a temporary fix when you enroll in the welding program at Greenville Technical College.

Instead, you’ll learn the fundamentals or pursue more advanced training in a state-of-the-art facility under the guidance of qualified, experienced instructors who will assist you in laying the groundwork for a long-term career.

WHAT THE PROGRAM WILL TEACH YOU

  • Reading a blueprint.

  • Safety weld.

  • Weld quality assessment.

  • Carbon and stainless steel plate and pipe welding and cutting.

  • Acetylene/oxygen cutting

  • Plasma cutting

  • Processes for SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW welding.

  • Pipe welding and fitting.

  • Weld fabrication.

  • Preparing for industry-specific testing and certification

Graduates may earn professional certifications like welder certification (subject to passing an exam). 

Tuition: Click here for details 

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Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College 

The majority of people don’t realize how much goes into welding. Your car contains it. It’s in your house. It is found in museums and shipyards.

Opportunities abound for those who choose to work in welding. Once you master welding, you can do anything.

The welding classes at this school don’t require a lot of sitting. This is a very practical program that teaches you exactly how the “real world” operates.

There are two levels of welding certificates available. Your post-graduation career options are better with the welding types you are familiar with.

Their associate’s degree combines industrial maintenance training and welding expertise, two highly sought-after skill sets. 

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Also See: 18 Best Welding Schools in Texas & Their Websites 

Piedmont Technical College – Lex Walters Campus – Greenwood 

Everything from cars to large industrial machinery to bridges depends on welding to be strong and long-lasting. You will learn how to weld on structured steel and pipe in the four primary positions in Piedmont Tech’s welding program.

The Piedmont Tech Welding program offers morning, afternoon, and evening classes, as well as locations in Greenwood and Laurens, making it simple to fit class attendance into your schedule.

Through some high schools’ dual enrollment policies, you can also get started early. For more information, speak with your guidance counselor. 

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Horry Georgetown Technical College  

From automobiles to large industrial machinery to bridges, welding is essential to their strength and durability.

With the Advanced Welding certificate from HGTC, students can learn the fundamentals of cutting and brazing with Oxy-Acetylene, SMAW (Arc), GMAW (MIG), FCAW (Flux Core), and GTAW (TIG), as well as purge welding sanitary process pipes.

Students will also learn shop and site safety procedures, reading blueprints, metallurgy principles, construction math, how to use hand and power tools, and fundamental layout techniques used in the fabrication industry in addition to preparing them for AWS welder performance certifications. 

Tuition: Click here for details 

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Tri-County Technical College 

Students who enroll in the welding program are prepared for a range of careers, primarily in metalworking and construction.

There are classes that teach both fundamental and advanced welding techniques practically and hands-on.

Students pick up welding techniques for pipe, stainless steel, aluminum, and other materials that are used in the workplace.

This institution provides a variety of welding programs, including:

  1. Certificate in Multi-process Welding:

This course focuses on SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW welding for industrial use. The course covers MIG and TIG welding as well as fillet and groove welds on a plate, and groove welds on a pipe in all positions. 

  1. Pipe SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding):

This course focuses on steel shielded metal arc welding for use in the pipeline and structural steel industries. All positions of fillet and groove welds on the plate and groove welds on the pipe are covered in training.

  1. Structure-related shielded metal arc welding (SMAW):

The shielded metal arc of steel used in this program is intended for use in the structural steel industry. All positions of fillet and groove welding are covered in training. 

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Also See: 13 Top Welding Schools in Alaska|Cost & Contacts 

York Technical College 

The welding curriculum is made for people who want a foundation in the fundamental ideas and procedures of welding.

Additionally, it is helpful for welding professionals who want to improve their welding abilities.

According to current industry standards, students receive instruction in the theory and practice of OXY/ACTY gas welding & cutting, SMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and GMAW welding processes.

The American Welding Society (AWS) and other welding authorities’ studies and advised practices serve as the foundation for the content.

A comprehensive treatment of equipment, filler rod material, joints and welds, weld testing, safety, welding symbols, and the fundamentals of print reading is provided for each major process as a core program. 

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Williamsburg Technical College 

At this institution, the student will be able to gain the practical hands-on experience necessary to work as a welder, cutter, solderer, or brazer, as well as to advance their abilities if they are currently engaged, in the welding industry. 

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Trident Technical College 

The TTC’s welding program provides instruction in both contemporary and traditional welding techniques, as well as a solid grounding in fundamental welding theory, metallurgy, and blueprint interpretation.

Throughout the curriculum, safety is emphasized. This program offers thorough welding instruction to both new students and seasoned welders who wish to increase their skill set and knowledge base.

Accreditations:

The following accreditations are held by TTC’s welding program:

  • Level I and Level II of the AWS SENSE program.
  • NCCER-certified Trainers.
  • Testing Facility for PrimED.
  • Authorized Welder Training Facility for the Department of Transportation 

Tuition: Click here for details 

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Also See: 43 Top Welding Schools in Arizona|Certifications & Cost 

Florence-Darlington Technical College 

Through this curriculum, students will learn the skills necessary to manufacture welds that are both structurally sound and of high quality.

FDTC wants to see students flourish in the real world because they think that education deserves results.

In order for students to put their hard-earned education to use, Florence-Darlington Technical College works actively to match them with pertinent jobs in the neighborhood.

To make sure students acquire the greatest job after graduation, they collaborate with successful alumni and neighborhood companies.

Their Career Services Office provides a range of services to aid students in succeeding, including resume counseling, on-campus hiring events, online job postings, professional development seminars, personality assessments, help with finding internships, and other online tools for career development. 

Tuition: Click here for details 

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Check the table below for the other schools. Links are provided to their official website and tuition page. 

Schools Links 
Spartanburg Community College Website 
Tuition: Click here
WEC Welding Institute Website 
Tuition: Click here
Denmark Technical College Website 
Tuition: Click here
Midlands Technical College – Airport Campus Website 
Tuition: Click here
Northeastern Technical College Website
Tuition: Click here
ArcLabs Welding School Website 
Tuition: Click here
Aiken Technical College Website
Tuition: Click here

Also See the Top welding schools in Canada, the requirements and employers.

How To Gain A Welding License In South Carolina 

To pursue a career in welding, take the following actions:

1. Examine the various welding careers.

You should learn about the various welding careers available before deciding which one to pursue.

This can assist you in discovering which duties and obligations of particular welding positions best complement your skills and abilities.

Different training or certifications are needed because the duties of various welding careers can differ.

2. Enroll in welding classes

Once you’ve decided on the welding career path you want to take, find out what the educational prerequisites are for that area of specialization.

A high school diploma or GED is typically required for welding jobs. Take welding classes if your high school offers them to learn more about the different kinds of welding.

Additionally, since welding frequently involves measuring dimensions, it is best to take math courses that complement welding, such as geometry.

3. Become certified in welding

You can continue your education after high school by enrolling in community college or welding certificate programs.

Usually lasting six months to two years, welding certificate programs can help you increase your general understanding of welding duties and responsibilities.

Depending on their area of expertise, some welders may decide to continue their education and work toward a bachelor’s degree in welding. 

4. Acquire practical experience

After receiving your welding certification, you can start an apprenticeship to get practical training in the area of welding you want to specialize in.

To learn more about the typical schedule and duties of a welder, you can complete supervised work and shadowing during an apprenticeship.

If your employer allows it, you can continue working there after completing your apprenticeship, or you can use your experience to apply for a new, full-time welding position. 

5. Obtain a welding license

You must obtain certification for the specific type of welding you want to pursue before you can work full-time.

Depending on your skill set and intended welding career, there are a variety of certifications available to welders.

The fundamental AWS Certified Welder certification is the main credential that employers will demand.

This certification requires passing an exam, which is available at numerous AWS Accredited Testing Facilities. There are no prerequisites for taking this test. It will include both a written portion and a test of your performance and welding ability. 

How Much Are Welders Paid In South Carolina? 

The average annual salary for the Welding job category in South Carolina as of Sep. 12, 2022, is $36,202. That comes out to about $17.40 an hour, in case you need a quick salary calculator. This equates to $696 per week or $3,016 per month.

There may be numerous opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location, and years of experience given that the average pay range for a welding job can vary greatly (up to $8,801), suggesting a wide range of pay ranges.

According to recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, there aren’t many employers hiring right now, making South Carolina’s welding job market relatively quiet.

In terms of welding job salaries, South Carolina comes in at number 22 out of 50 states. 

How Much Does a Welding School Cost in South Carolina? 

Depending on qualifications, the cost of attending welding schools ranges from $200 to $18,900, with a median cost of $15,000. 

How Long is SC Welding School?

Welding vocational training is provided by the South Carolina School of Welding. These fields continue to require a skilled workforce. Most of their hands-on courses are completed in less than 24 weeks so you can start working in the field right away. 

How Much Do Certified Welders Make in South Carolina? 

In South Carolina, a welder can expect to make $20.19 per hour on average. Reported 582 salaries, last updated September 12, 2022. 

How Many Years Does it Take to Learn to Weld? 

Depending on the program you select, welding training typically takes between 7 months and 2 years of hands-on instruction. 

Do You Need a Welding License in SC? 

You must pass a welding certification test after completing your training. The American Welding Society developed these tests. 

Does SCC Have Welding? 

Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, and Oxy-Fuel Cutting are among the welding techniques that students learn, with a focus on industrial safety. Depending on where you want to take your career, SCC’s welding programs offer a certificate or a degree. 

What Type of Welding Pays the Most? 

The world’s highest-paid welders are those who work on rigs. They put in long, challenging hours at the highest levels of education and training.

Companies only employ the best candidates for these positions because any mistakes they make could have catastrophic consequences. 

Can Welders Make 100k a Year? 

Contract welders can make well over $100,000 per year, but these jobs can be risky and require specialized skills. 

What is The Hardest Metal to Weld? 

Welders have a nightmare with aluminum. It is regarded as the hardest metal to weld because, in either its ore or alloy form, it has a variety of physical and chemical characteristics that must be thoroughly understood before working with it. 

Why Should Welders Drink Milk? 

The calcium in milk will “saturate the body,” according to the milk theory, and prevent the body from absorbing harmful heavy metals like cadmium that can be found in welding fumes. Do you have suggestions about these welding schools in South Carolina on our list? Please leave a comment below.

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