In “The 22 Top Welding Schools for Certification in South Carolina,” you’ll find detailed information for each of the accredited welding schools in the state. So instead of jumping around to 20+ websites, continue reading for everything you need to know about welding jobs, schooling, and certification in South Carolina.
Top Welding Schools for Certification in South Carolina:
Table of Contents
- Information Every Welding Student Should Know
- The 22 Top Welding Schools for Certification in South Carolina
- Underwater Welding Schools in South Carolina
- Good Welding Schools Near South Carolina
- Welding Jobs in South Carolina: How Much Do Welders Make in South Carolina?
- The Best Welding Supplies & Equipment Online
- The Top 3 Welding Safety Tips
Information Every Welding Student Should Know
While you’ll earn a wealth of knowledge as a welding student, it’s always helpful to know some core information. After all, the more you know about welding, the more likely you’ll be sure that it’s the best career choice for you. As the saying goes, confidence is key!
What It Takes to Be a Good Welder in South Carolina
Not everybody has what it takes to be a welder, of course. Because welding jobs are demanding, it’s a good idea to see how your personality lines up with the traits listed below.
- Be mindful of details
- Have manual dexterity
- Be physically fit
- Have strong spatial-orientation skills
- Have good technical skills
Of course, you can always improve yourself. So if you know you sometimes forget details, make a point of learning to pay better attention. Welding classes are designed to help you know what to look for. For more information, watch the video “Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Welder?“
Welding vs Brazing vs Soldering
In short, welding is using heat to permanently bond together two pieces of thermoplastics. It’s like brazing and soldering, but there are a few key differences.
- Unlike soldering and brazing, welding doesn’t involve the use of a filler metal. (Or a “solder.”) Another key difference is that soldering and brazing use lower temperatures, at 850 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
- Finally, Brazing stands out from soldering in that it produces stronger structures and often uses a liquid flux material.
Welder Certification
So, what exactly is welder certification and why is it important? Welder certification is something you’ll receive when you pass a number of tests designed by the American Welding Society (AWS). AWS’s mission is “Advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide.”
At this time, AWS offers 11 types of welder certifications:
- Certified Welder
- Welding Inspector
- Associate Welding Inspector
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector
- Welding Educator
- Radiographic Interpreter
- Welding Supervisor
- Robotic Arc Welding
- Welding Sales Representative
- Reciprocity Program
- Welding Engineer
The 6 Most Popular Welding Methods
When you attend one of the 22 Top Welding Schools for Certification in South Carolina, you’ll likely learn these 6 welding methods first:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick)
- Plasma Arc Welding
- Flux-Cored Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG)
- Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG)
- Gas or Oxy Acetylene Welding
From the list above, the three most common welding methods are stick, MIG, and TIG. If you want to see a video explanation, check out “The 6 Main Types of Welding.”Â
Common Welding Industries in South Carolina
There are welding jobs in a wide array of industries in South Carolina. See the list below for common industries in which welders find good welding jobs in South Carolina:
- Creation of buildings & bridges
- Shipbuilding
- Aerospace applications
- Manufacturing
- Gas & oil field power plants and refineries
- Auto & motorcycle fabrication and repair
The 22 Top Welding Schools for Certification in South Carolina
In the table below, you’ll find detailed contact information and the exact location of each welding school in South Carolina. Each program is currently approved by the American Welding Society’s SENSE Accreditation Program.
The school’s programs in the list below provide classes in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), ensuring that you get the training you want.
In most cases, the only admission requirement is having a high school diploma or your GED if you want to enroll in the welding program. Some schools only require you to have finished the tenth grade.
[wp_table id=3993/]
Underwater Welding Schools in South Carolina
Specifically, one trade school in South Carolina providers underwater welding certification – The International Diving Institute. Notably, this is one of only 9 underwater welding schools in the United States.
To learn about the school’s 6 commercial diving programs, see The Best Underwater Welding Schools Near Me in the US.
Good Welding Schools Near South Carolina
In addition to the 22 Top Welding Schools for Certification in South Carolina, there are 21 more schools in neighboring states.
Use the links below to explore the accredited welding institutions in states next to South Carolina.
- The 7 Best Welding Schools for Certification in North Carolina
- The 15 Best Welding Trade Schools in Georgia
Welding Jobs in South Carolina & Average Salary
As is the case in almost every part of the United States, the future is good for welding jobs in South Carolina. Just take a look at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which anticipates a 6% growth in the number of welding jobs from 2016 to 2026.
The national median average salary for welders is $39,390. In contrast, the median salary for welding jobs in South Carolina is $42,060.
For tips on how to find a good welding job, watch the video below. It has some great ideas!
Careers Like Welding in South Carolina
Since you’re reading about the top welding schools for certification in South Carolina, you’re probably well suited for technical vocations. Keep in mind that many of the schools listed above offer programs in addition to welding. So, even if you decide to stray from welding, some of the schools listed above offer different programs.
For example, the 4 careers below are excellent alternatives to welding:
- Electrical Lineworker
- Boilermakers
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Mechanical Maintenance Technology
- Soldering & Brazing
The Best Welding Supplies & Equipment Online
One important part of being a welder is ensuring you have the proper equipment. For bodily protection, you must use safety gloves, glasses, and a strong welding helmet.
Different welding projects call for different welding supplies. Below is a list of the must-haves for most welders.
For beginners, here’s a basic checklist of the essentials:
- Auto-darkening welding helmet
- Welding gloves
- Safety Glasses
- Welding Magnets
- Frame Jig
- C Clamps
- Welding Clamps
- Speed Square
- Angle Grinder
- Soapstone
- MIG Pliers
- Metal Brush
- Sheet Metal Gauge
- Metal File
The Top 3 Welding Safety Tips
The most important subject you’ll learn about at welding school is safety. However, we’ll lay down some safety tips to get you prepared.
- First, make sure to read everything. Because equipment manuals have important warnings, reading them carefully is a great way to prevent accidents.
- Second, invest in the best welding gear. This includes the best auto-darkening welding helmet, gloves, glasses, jacket, and shoes. And of course, make sure your skin is covered up to protect yourself from the heat.
- The third most crucial welding safety tip is to be mindful of the environment. In other words, make sure the area is clean, tidy, and well-ventilated.
Enter your zip code to find The Top Welding Schools For Certification In South Carolina near you!
Top Welding Schools for Certification in South Carolina:
Conclusion
Now that you’ve brushed up on welding schools in SC, we hope you’re ready to confidently enroll in a welding program near you.
Interested in what other kinds of technical training is available in South Carolina? If so, take a look around the rest of Trades for Careers for more trade schools.