Orangeburg, South CarolinaPublic, 2-Year

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Welding Program

An associate degree and 3 certificates, $5,210 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Offer for Welding Students?

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College in Orangeburg, South Carolina offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding through its Welding & Industrial Maintenance program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $5,210 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 8 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.

Welding Degree and Certificates at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

AwardTypeLength
Associate Degree in Applied Science, General Technology (Welding Technology / Industrial Maintenance Technology)Associate65 semester hours
Basic Welding CertificateCertificate16 semester hours
Intermediate Welding CertificateCertificate17 semester hours
Advanced Welding CertificateCertificate8 semester hours

As listed on Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Welding Tuition: $5,210 a Year

Tuition and fees
$5,210
in-district, 2024–25
Out of state
$8,354
2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,400
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
8
2024–25
Graduation rate
32%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
2,106
school-wide, Fall 2024

Tuition and fees are for a full-time year. Awards count welding credentials conferred. Graduation rate and enrollment cover the whole school. Source: NCES College Navigator.

Plate, Pipe and Process Training at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Uses a stacked NCCER-based sequence (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced certificates tied to NCCER Levels I-III) and pairs welding with industrial maintenance as the degree's second specialty.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Flux-cored (FCAW)
  • Pipe welding
  • Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxyfuel cutting
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading

Welding Certification Testing at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Testing. students who complete all NCCER Level I modules and may earn their national NCCER Level I credential.

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College's own site.

Visit octech.edu

What Welders Earn in South Carolina

Across South Carolina, the median welder wage is $49,980 a year, from $38,720 at the 10th percentile to $64,510 at the 90th, with 7,380 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

5 More Welding Schools Within 76 Miles of Orangeburg

Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in South Carolina

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Welding FAQ

Does Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Have a Welding Program?

Yes. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College?

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $5,210 for a full-time year (in-district) and $8,354 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,400. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College?

Associate Degree in Applied Science, General Technology (Welding Technology / Industrial Maintenance Technology): 65 semester hours. Basic Welding Certificate: 16 semester hours. Intermediate Welding Certificate: 17 semester hours.

Can You Get Welding Certified at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College?

students who complete all NCCER Level I modules and may earn their national NCCER Level I credential.

How Much Do Welders Make in South Carolina?

The median welder wage in South Carolina is $49,980 a year, and the middle half earn between $45,230 and $58,370 (BLS, May 2025).

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Sources

  1. octech.edu: Welding & Industrial Maintenance program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 218487
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025