WELDING

About Welding


Welding is a highly skilled trade that plays a critical role in construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, and equipment repair. Welders join and repair metal components used in everything from buildings and pipelines to machinery and transportation systems. Their work requires precision, technical knowledge, and the ability to interpret drawings or plans to produce strong, reliable connections.


Modern welding involves working with specialized tools and equipment to cut, join, and repair metal safely and accurately. Welders must understand material properties, follow safety standards, and use proper techniques to ensure quality results. Because welding involves high heat and heavy equipment, attention to safety procedures and the use of protective equipment are essential parts of the trade.


Welding work is hands-on and varied, often involving a combination of fabrication, repair, and assembly tasks. The trade is well suited for individuals who enjoy working with tools, focusing on detail, and seeing tangible results from their work. With strong foundational skills, safety awareness, and professionalism, welding offers a respected and in-demand career path across a wide range of industries.



Examples of

Welding Skills


Students develop essential welding skills commonly used in construction, manufacturing, and industrial environments, including:


  • Safe and proper use of welding tools and job site safety practices
  • Identifying common welding processes and techniques
  • Consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Repairing machinery and metal components by welding and filling gaps
  • Reading blueprints and drawings to plan layouts and projects
  • Preparing, aligning, and securing materials prior to welding
  • Inspecting finished work and maintaining welding equipment



What Welding Work Involves:


Welders work in a variety of settings, including manufacturing facilities, construction sites, fabrication shops, and industrial environments. Work may involve supporting individual projects or contributing to larger commercial or industrial operations.


Because welding involves high heat, heavy equipment, and precision work, welders must consistently follow safety procedures and wear appropriate protective equipment. Attention to detail, technical accuracy, and adherence to safety standards are essential to producing quality work and maintaining a safe work environment.



Opportunities in a Welding Career


Welding skills are in strong demand across both public and private sectors, supporting a wide range of industries that rely on metal fabrication, repair, and assembly. Welding is one of the primary methods used to permanently join metal components, making it essential to construction, manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure, and equipment maintenance.


Welders work in diverse environments, including manufacturing facilities, fabrication shops, construction sites, and industrial settings. Opportunities exist in industries such as automotive and equipment manufacturing, shipbuilding, energy, infrastructure development, and industrial maintenance. Because welding skills are widely transferable, individuals may also find opportunities supporting specialty projects or working across different regions and industries.




Potential Careers


With training, experience, and continued skill development, individuals with welding skills may pursue roles such as:


  • Welder or Welding Technician
  • Welding Inspector
  • Fabrication or Manufacturing Technician
  • Industrial Maintenance Technician
  • Pipeline or Structural Welding Technician
  • Construction or Facilities Support Technician



Earning Potential for Carpentry Careers


Earnings in welding vary based on experience, role, industry, employer, and geographic location. Nationally, individuals entering welding-related roles typically begin at entry-level hourly wages, with opportunities for steady increases as technical skills, safety awareness, and reliability grow. In South Carolina, starting wages may be slightly lower than the national average, with growth as welders gain experience across manufacturing and industrial environments.


More experienced welding professionals may earn annual salaries ranging from approximately $55,000 to $70,000 or more, depending on specialization, industry, and location. Welding offers a skilled trade career path where technical precision, safety practices, and professionalism can lead to long-term career stability and competitive earning potential.