Welding

A Career in Welding

Because welding is such an important part of most products, employment can be found in a wide range of settings — from heavy manufacturing, like making airplanes, cars, and earthmoving equipment to residential and commercial construction. Welding also plays an important role in building and maintaining oil pipelines and rigs, power plants, and many other industries.

Graduates of the Welding program are prepared to work for construction firms, sheet metal fabricators, plant maintenance providers, auto body welding companies and other heavy industrial careers. Although placement rates vary from year to year, around 90 percent of graduates find work a short time after graduation. Job prospects should continue to be excellent as employers report difficulty finding enough qualified people.

What Will I Do as a Welder?

Whether you like the idea of traveling and working outdoors, or if you want an indoor job that’s close to home, you can find a great job as a welder. You can also find welding-related jobs in sales, teaching, and opportunities are good if you want to start your own company.

• Study blueprints, sketches or specifications
• Calculate dimensions to be welded
• Ignite torches or start power supplies
• Monitor the welding process to avoid overheating
• Maintain equipment and machinery
• Inspect structures or materials to be welded

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Career Quick Facts

Career Outlook

• Median Salary Average: $48,087
• SC Salary Range: $35,516-$58,606
• 100% placement rate for 2022-2023 graduates

Salary and career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Physical Demands

• active (walking, carrying, standing)
• lifting to 70+ lbs.
• good eyesight

Entry Level Positions

• Fabricator/Welder
• Possible Self-Employment

List of Employers

Recent graduates have found work at:

• Albemarle Chemical Plant
• Austin Industrial
• Big Gun Robotics LLC
• Carolina Pride
• Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
• City of Elberton
• Clinton Newberry Natural Gas Authority
• Dalkotech SC
• Eaton Corporation
• Eberspacher
• Fluor Daniel
• General Electric
• Georgia-Pacific
• Gulbrandsen Manufacturing, Inc.
• HardHat
• Intermech
• Kimura, Inc.
• Komatsu
• Lanford Welding & Mechanical
• Martin Marietta
• Metal Masters
• Muns Welding and Mechanical, Inc.
• Packiq
• Piedmont Technical College
• Pitts Steel
• Redline Machining
• Russell Dam
• Sage Automotives
• Spirit Construction
• Trades Industrial Company, Inc.
• United Magill
• Valley Proteins
• Velux - Greenwood, Inc.
• Vulcan

Program Information

With morning, afternoon and evening programs, and class locations in both Greenwood and Laurens, Piedmont Tech’s Welding program makes attending class easy to work into your schedule

You can also get started early through our dual enrollment agreements in some high schools. Check with your guidance counselor for more details.

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