How much does a Welder make in South Carolina?

BLS puts the average Welder pay in South Carolina at $52,120 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in South Carolina, after federal taxes, FICA, and South Carolina state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $42,918 annually ($3,577/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Welder in South Carolina?

On a $52,120 salary in South Carolina, your take-home pay is approximately $42,918/year or $3,577/month. Federal tax: $4,074. State tax: $1,140. FICA: $3,987.

Is $52,120 a good Welder salary?

$52,120 is the BLS average Welder pay in South Carolina, 8% below the US average of $56,760 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in South Carolina earn between $45,230 and $58,370.

How do South Carolina taxes affect Welder salaries?

South Carolina levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $52,120 is $1,140. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 17.7%.

What are the career growth prospects for Welders?

In South Carolina, the top 10% earn over $64,510 and the bottom 10% under $38,720 (BLS, May 2025). 2% growth through 2032 (slower than average) overall; pipeline + Permian rig + underwater + aerospace TIG specialty growing faster. Related roles include: Pipe Welder, Structural Welder, Rig Welder, Underwater Welder, Aerospace TIG Welder, Welding Inspector, Welding Supervisor.

How can a Welder in South Carolina reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Trades

Welder Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Average Welder pay in South Carolina

$52,120/year

≈ $25/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $45,230–$58,370

US average: $56,760

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$42,918/year

$3,577/month · effective tax rate 17.65%

Federal $4,074
State $1,140
FICA $3,987
Take-home

Pay by role in South Carolina

Senior Aerospace Welder (Boeing Charleston 787)$72,000–$118,000+ OT
Senior Auto OEM Welder (BMW / Volvo / Mercedes Vans)$62,000–$98,000+ OT
Senior Nuclear Welder (Savannah River Site)$72,000–$118,000+ OT
Senior Boilermaker (Local 687)$72,000–$132,000+ OT
Pipeline Welder (X-Ray Certified)$68,000–$132,000+ OT
Senior Structural Welder (AISC / Bridge)$55,000–$88,000+ OT

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$42,918
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$3,577
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$1,651
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$21/hr
Federal Tax	$4,074
State Tax	$1,140
FICA Taxes	$3,987
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	17.65%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Welders earn the same — not even close

South Carolina's welder market is anchored by SC auto OEM welder concentration (BMW Manufacturing Spartanburg ~11K + the largest BMW production plant in the world + the substantial BMW X3 + X5 + X6 + X7 + XM SUV body-shop welder + the substantial post-2024 BMW Battery Assembly Spartanburg welder + Volvo Cars Charleston Berkeley County ~2K + the substantial Volvo S60 + Polestar body-shop welder + Mercedes-Benz Vans North Charleston ~1.6K + the substantial Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van assembly welder + the substantial SC Tier 1 supplier welder cluster Magna International Spartanburg + ZF + Bosch), Boeing Charleston (the country's only US 787 Dreamliner final assembly + ~7K SC Boeing + the substantial Boeing 787 fuselage + frame + wing-to-body join welder + the substantial Boeing Charleston North Charleston site + the substantial post-2024 787 production ramp), Savannah River Site Aiken (DOE nuclear weapons + nuclear waste cleanup + ~10K SRS employees + the substantial post-2024 SRS plutonium pit production + the substantial Savannah River National Laboratory + the substantial nuclear-grade welder demand), plus substantial SC pipeline + structural + bridge + the substantial SC infrastructure + the substantial Michelin Greenville + Continental Tire Sumter + the substantial SC manufacturing welder demand.

Senior Aerospace Welder (Boeing Charleston 787)

$72,000–$118,000+ OT

Boeing Charleston North Charleston 787 fuselage + wing-to-body join · NAS 410 + AWS aerospace

Senior Auto OEM Welder (BMW / Volvo / Mercedes Vans)

$62,000–$98,000+ OT

BMW Spartanburg + Volvo Charleston + Mercedes-Benz Vans body-shop + battery assembly

Senior Nuclear Welder (Savannah River Site)

$72,000–$118,000+ OT

SRS DOE nuclear weapons + waste cleanup + plutonium pit production · cleared facility access + ASME III

Senior Boilermaker (Local 687)

$72,000–$132,000+ OT

Boilermakers Local 687 Charleston + Local 802 Charleston + V.C. Summer Nuclear + power · prevailing wage

Pipeline Welder (X-Ray Certified)

$68,000–$132,000+ OT

Pipeline welder · x-ray + 6G + API 1104 + SC gas pipeline + the substantial SC midstream

Senior Structural Welder (AISC / Bridge)

$55,000–$88,000+ OT

AISC structural welder · SCDOT bridge + the substantial SC infrastructure + post-Helene rebuild

Senior Tier 1 Welder (Magna / ZF / Bosch)

$55,000–$85,000+ OT

Magna International Spartanburg + ZF + Bosch + Continental Tire Sumter · auto Tier 1 supplier

TIG / GTAW Specialty Welder

$62,000–$95,000+ OT

TIG + GTAW specialty · stainless + exotic alloy + aerospace + pharmaceutical + nuclear specialty

Mid-Career Welder (3-6 yrs)

$42,000–$62,000+ OT

Mid-career welder transitioning to AWS + 6G + API certified · SC industrial shops

Entry Welder / Apprentice

$30,000–$42,000+ OT

Entry welder apprentice · Greenville Tech + Trident Tech + Midlands Tech + Spartanburg CC + Aiken Tech pipeline

Worth knowing: South Carolina's substantial BMW + Boeing + Volvo + Mercedes-Benz Vans auto + aerospace welder concentration + Savannah River Site nuclear welder cluster is a distinctive SC welder feature most national welder-career surveys understate. The country's substantial South Carolina auto OEM welder cluster (BMW Manufacturing Spartanburg ~11K + the largest BMW production plant in the world + the substantial BMW X3 + X5 + X6 + X7 + XM SUV body-shop welder + the substantial post-2024 BMW Battery Assembly Spartanburg welder + Volvo Cars Charleston Berkeley County + Mercedes-Benz Vans North Charleston + the substantial SC Tier 1 supplier welder Magna + ZF + Bosch + the substantial Michelin Greenville + Continental Tire Sumter) supports a large body-shop + assembly-line + battery welder market — senior auto OEM welders at BMW + Volvo + Mercedes-Benz Vans clear $62-98K + OT. Boeing Charleston (the country's only US 787 Dreamliner final assembly + ~7K SC Boeing + the substantial Boeing 787 fuselage + frame + wing-to-body join welder + the substantial Boeing Charleston North Charleston Final Assembly + the substantial post-2024 787 production ramp + the substantial post-2025 Boeing 787-10 production) supports specialized aerospace welder + NAS 410 + AWS aerospace certification work — Boeing Charleston aerospace welders clear $72-118K + OT. Savannah River Site Aiken (the substantial Savannah River Site DOE nuclear weapons + nuclear waste cleanup + ~10K SRS employees + the substantial post-2024 SRS plutonium pit production + the substantial Savannah River National Laboratory + the substantial SRS Defense Waste Processing Facility + the substantial nuclear-grade ASME Section III welder demand) supports specialized nuclear-grade welder work — SRS nuclear welders clear $72-118K with cleared facility access + ASME Section III nuclear pressure vessel cert. Boilermakers Local 687 Charleston + Local 802 Charleston + United Association Pipefitters Local 421 Columbia + IBEW Local 776 Charleston + Ironworkers Local 848 Augusta GA cross-border + the substantial SC building trades operate substantial collective bargaining at SC industrial + auto OEM + aerospace + nuclear prevailing wage rates despite SC RTW since 1954. AWS Certified Welder + 6G + API 1104 + ASME Section IX + AWS D1.1 + NAS 410 aerospace + ASME Section III nuclear cert drive 30-60% wage premium. Greenville Technical College + Trident Technical College Charleston + Midlands Technical College Columbia + Spartanburg Community College + Aiken Technical College pipeline. SC's 5.21% top rate (H.4216, 2026) + no state estate tax (repealed 2005) + SC RTW since 1954 anchor the SC welder proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Welders in South Carolina and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and South Carolina 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers