What Are the Best Welding Schools in South Carolina?
- Tri-County Technical College (Pendleton) offers Welding Technology (associate degree) and Industrial Welding Certificate.
- Piedmont Technical College (Greenwood) offers General Technology, Welding Concentration, A.A.S. and Advanced Welding, Certificate.
- Arclabs (Piedmont) offers Advanced Welding Course and Master Welder Course.
- Resident tuition and fees run from $4,448 to $8,036 a year (2024–25).
- Welding classes in South Carolina: 5 of the verified welding programs in South Carolina list evening or weekend sections.
- South Carolina welders earn a median $49,980 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Tri-County Technical College Leads the South Carolina Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tri-County Technical CollegePendleton | $4,448 | 154 certificates, 26 associate | 42% |
| 2 | Piedmont Technical CollegeGreenwood | $4,775 | 234 certificates | 33% |
| 3 | ArclabsPiedmont | 669 certificates | ||
| 4 | Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeConway | $4,468 | 76 certificates | 38% |
| 5 | Florence-Darlington Technical CollegeFlorence | $4,636 | 77 certificates | 34% |
| 6 | Spartanburg Community CollegeSpartanburg | $5,071 | 97 certificates | 28% |
| 7 | Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia | $5,100 | 41 certificates, 21 associate | 18% |
| 8 | Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville | $5,495 | 151 certificates | 21% |
| 9 | Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter | $5,715 | 43 certificates | 34% |
| 10 | York Technical CollegeRock Hill | $8,036 | 78 certificates | 30% |
| 11 | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical CollegeOrangeburg | $5,210 | 8 certificates | 32% |
| 12 | Denmark Technical CollegeDenmark | $6,315 | 17 certificates | 13% |
Welding programs in South Carolina, ranked by the method below. Tuition is the 2024–25 full-time resident rate and graduation rate is college-wide (NCES College Navigator). Welding awards are credentials conferred in welding (IPEDS). Blank cells mean no federal figure for that college.
How We Ranked South Carolina Welding Schools
Each South Carolina college with a verified, current welding program page gets a percentile score among its in-state peers: program size (35%, welding awards conferred), cost (25%, lowest resident tuition and fees for 2024–25), completion (25%, college-wide graduation rate) and credential ladder (15%, both certificates and associate degrees awarded). Federal data can't measure instructors or equipment, so visit the shop before you enroll.
Best Welding Schools in South Carolina by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards and Working Adults
Welding Schools in South Carolina, College by College
1Tri-County Technical College, Pendleton, South Carolina
Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,448 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 180 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
2Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood, South Carolina
Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,775 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 234 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Fabrication
3Arclabs, Piedmont, South Carolina
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 669 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
4Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Conway, South Carolina
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,468 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 76 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
5Florence-Darlington Technical College, Florence, South Carolina
Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,636 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 77 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
6Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,071 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 97 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
7Midlands Technical College, West Columbia, South Carolina
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,100 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 62 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
8Greenville Technical College, Greenville, South Carolina
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,495 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 151 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
9Central Carolina Technical College, Sumter, South Carolina
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,715 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 43 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting
10York Technical College, Rock Hill, South Carolina
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $8,036 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 78 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
11Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College, Orangeburg, South Carolina
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,210 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 8 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
12Denmark Technical College, Denmark, South Carolina
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,315 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 17 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
Welding Classes in South Carolina: 5 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- ArclabsDay students 7 am-3:30 pm Mon-Thu and 7 am-1:00 pm Fri; full-time night 3:45-11:00 pm Mon-Thu and 2:00-11:00 pm Fri; part-time night 6:00-11:00 pm Mon-Fri (2026 handbook).
- Tri-County Technical CollegeDay, Evening (Industrial Welding and SMAW-Structural program pages)
- Piedmont Technical CollegeWith morning, afternoon and evening programs, and class locations in both Greenwood and Laurens
- Greenville Technical CollegeDay and evening
- Florence-Darlington Technical CollegeDiploma: Evening, Day (14 months); Certificate: Day (12 months); Pipe Welding: Day (8 months)
- Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeThree semesters (fall, spring, summer) per sample schedule
- Midlands Technical College6-semester AAS; fall and spring start schedules
- Denmark Technical CollegeTwo semesters
More Welding Programs in South Carolina: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials
Welding credentials each college conferred in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Confirm current program details with each college.
- Northeastern Technical College, Cheraw16
- Williamsburg Technical College, Kingstree15
- Aiken Technical College, Graniteville14
- Trident Technical College, Charleston12
What Welding School Costs in South Carolina: $4,448 to $8,036 a Year
Among the 11 South Carolina welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $4,448 at Tri-County Technical College to $8,036 at York Technical College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-County Technical College | Pendleton | $4,448 (in-district) |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | $4,468 (in-district) |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence | $4,636 (in-district) |
| Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood | $4,775 (in-district) |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg | $5,071 (in-district) |
| Midlands Technical College | West Columbia | $5,100 (in-district) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in South Carolina: The Charlotte Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia | $56,070 | $75,910 | 3,370 |
| Charleston–North Charleston | $56,060 | $73,890 | 830 |
| Hilton Head Island–Bluffton–Port Royal | $54,030 | $70,810 | 90 |
| Augusta–Richmond County | $50,800 | $71,010 | 680 |
| Spartanburg | $49,820 | $65,510 | 710 |
| Columbia | $49,730 | $62,900 | 830 |
| Greenville–Anderson–Greer | $49,130 | $63,340 | 1,760 |
| Myrtle Beach–Conway–North Myrtle Beach | $45,640 | $61,120 | 130 |
| Florence | $44,990 | $58,530 | 300 |
| Sumter | $44,540 | $78,140 | 170 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in South Carolina (7,380 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in South Carolina
Welding Schools in South Carolina: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in South Carolina Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the South Carolina colleges on this page run from $4,448 to $8,036 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in South Carolina?
South Carolina programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Arclabs lists Advanced Welding Course (900 clock hours) and Master Welder Course (1300 clock hours); Piedmont Technical College lists General Technology, Welding Concentration, A.A.S. (68 credit hours) and Advanced Welding, Certificate (38 credit hours); Greenville Technical College lists Welding and Robotic Technology Certificate in Applied Science (36 credit hours) and Specialized Welding Certificate in Applied Science (16 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in South Carolina?
BLS estimates a median of $49,980 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in South Carolina (May 2025), across 7,380 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,720 and the top 10% earn more than $64,510.
What Is the Best Welding School in South Carolina?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Tri-County Technical College ranks first among South Carolina colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Piedmont Technical College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
Are There Evening Welding Classes in South Carolina?
Yes. 5 welding schools in South Carolina publish evening or weekend sections, including Arclabs, Tri-County Technical College and Piedmont Technical College.
How Many Welding Schools Are in South Carolina?
12 schools have a current welding program in South Carolina, each checked against the school's own program page, and 6 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in South Carolina?
Tri-County Technical College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among South Carolina welding schools with federal figures: $4,448 for a full-time year (in-district). Horry-Georgetown Technical College ($4,468) and Florence-Darlington Technical College ($4,636) follow.
Which South Carolina Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Midlands Technical College, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College and Piedmont Technical College and 3 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in South Carolina?
Arclabs, Horry-Georgetown Technical College and Piedmont Technical College and 2 other schools describe American Welding Society (AWS) testing or certification on their program pages. Each profile shows what the school offers.
Do I Need a Certification to Work as a Welder?
Many employers test welders on their own procedure before hiring. The American Welding Society's Certified Welder program is a performance test with no education or experience prerequisites, taken at an AWS Accredited Test Facility.
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More on Welding in South Carolina
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 12 South Carolina colleges above (each college name links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- American Welding Society, Certified Welder program.