Becoming a welder in South Carolina typically begins with a technical school program or apprenticeship, combining hands-on experience with classroom learning. These programs last about 6 to 18 months, allowing individuals to gain essential skills under the guidance of experienced professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 402,000 welders nationwide, with a steady demand for skilled professionals. In South Carolina, the average welder earns approximately $1,000 per week, with experienced professionals often exceeding $54,000 annually. Over time, the welding industry in South Carolina has seen a 2% growth rate, driven by infrastructure development and manufacturing needs, offering promising career prospects and competitive compensation.
Since its foundation in 1986, Thompson Construction Group, Inc. has grown from a small, local company into one of the largest privately held companies based in South Carolina. Our diverse services portfolio includes capital projects, power services, maintenance services, disaster recovery, hydro consulting and commercial construction. We believe in investing in our employees to help them reach their professional goals, as well as their personal goals. Thompson promotes a work environment that fosters learning, leadership, and development along with a safety culture that never waivers. Thompson is headquartered in Sumter, South Carolina with offices spanning the United States, primarily southeast and central United States. Position Description Lay out, fit, and weld fabricated, cast, and forged components to assemble structural forms. This will be completed in a safe and timely manner with the highest quality possible. Job Responsibilities • Lay out, position, align, and secure parts and assemblies prior to assembly. • Examine work pieces for defects and measure work pieces to ensure conformance with specifications. • Weld together metal components of products such as piping systems, plate, pipe and tube or structural shapes, as specified by layout, blueprints, diagram, work order, welding procedures, or oral instructions, using electric arc-welding equipment. • Obtain specified electrode and insert electrode into portable holder or thread consumable electrode wire through portable welding gun. • Connect cables and adjust welding unit to obtain amperage, voltage, polarity, and pulse, as specified by welding procedure or supervisor. • Start power supply to produce electric current. • Strike (form) arc which generates heat to melt and deposit metal from electrode to work piece and join edges of work piece. • Manually guide electrode or gun along weld-line, maintaining length of arc and speed of movement to form specified depth of fusion and bead, as judged from color of metal, sound of weld, and size of molten puddle. • Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead positions. • Examine weld for bead size and other specifications. • May manually apply filler rod to supply weld metal. • May clean or degrease weld joint or workplace, using wire brush, portable grinder, or chemical bath. May repair broken or cracked parts and fill holes. • May prepare broken parts for welding by grooving or scarfing surfaces. • May remove excess weld, defective weld material, slag, and spatter, using carbon arc gouge, hand scraper, grinder or power chipper. • May preheat work piece, using hand torch or heating furnace. • May position and clamp work piece together or assemble then in a jig or fixture. • May tack weld assemblies together. • May cut metal plates or structural shapes. • May fit up parts (pipe, tube, structural shapes, or plate) and inspect fit before welding. • May be required to use Gas-Metal Arc, Flux-Cored Arc, Gas-Tungsten Arc, Submerged Arc, or Shielded-Metal Arc welding processes. • Respiratory protection is common and may be required. • Responsible for observing and complying with all safety and project rules. • Other duties as assigned. Job Qualifications • Must be at least 18 years of age. • Must be able to TIG and stick weld on stainless and/or carbon (pipe size and material welded varies per site). • Must pass required weld tests (varies per site). • Must be willing to work outside craft. • Workers are surrounded by hot materials and strong light. • Must wear safety gear, including protective goggles, masks, face shields and safety shoes. • Must be able to read, write and communicate clearly with supervisor/co-workers and understand direction from supervisor. • Utilize basic math and a calculator to solve geometric problems associated with Instrument Fitting. • May be required to work outside and be subject to severe weather as well. • Employee must be able to climb, bend, twist, stand and reach repetitively, operate moving equipment and work in hot/cold/damp/cramped environments. • Candidate may be required to pass a drug test and criminal background check based on job location/requirements. • Required Tool List For Pipe Welder: • Must have own TIG Rig and Stinger • 1 each 12” Crescent Wench • 1 each Stinger (whip) for Stick Welding • 1 each Tig Rig w/Hose and Gauges • 1 each 25’ Tape Measure • 1 set Burning Goggles • 1 each Chipping Hammer • 1 set Brushes • 1 pair Welding Gloves • 1 pair Leathers (optional) • 1 each Welding Hood and Lens (Must be attached to hard hat or will attach to hard hat) • *No Soft Cap Hoods • Must be at least 18 years of age • Must be able to lift 50 pounds, climb, bend, twist, stand and reach repetitively. • Work in hot/cold/damp/cramped environments • 40 or more hours per week with possible weekend work • Background check and drug screen based on job location/requirements Benefits • We strive to provide a competitive compensation and benefits package. This includes but is not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), wellness programs and career development. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
See More Details >>Job Description BAE Systems is hiring a Welder at our Aiken, SC location that will be responsible for setting up and operating weld equipment to MIG, TIG, or spot weld parts to blueprint specifications. Responsibilities include: • Load and unload parts onto weld table and fixtures using hand tools, ratchets, or air tools to secure parts to fixtures • Check parts to quality specifications • Troubleshoot problems and recommend or take corrective action • Use hoist, pallet jacks or forklift to move parts, materials, containers and fixtures to and from storage areas • Complete paperwork for work orders, labor, and time reporting, quality records and related reporting requirements • Maintain a clean and safe work area • Train others • Perform other duties as necessary and appropriate for this position WELDERS THAT DO NOT PASS OUR WELD CERTIFICATION TEST WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR WELD TRAINING PROGRAM TO BECOME CERTIFIED. Required Education, Experience, & Skills • HS with a Minimum of 1 year of welding experience with the ability to successfully pass weld qualification in accordance with appropriate weld specifications • Able to apply shop math, read and interpret blueprints and calculate dimensions • Able to understand work orders, machine controls and settings, fixtures and tool requirements and make adjustments as needed • Able to hold and maneuver weld torch and operate foot and hand controls • Able to operate scissors lift which will require a 27 inch step up and 15 foot working heights • Able to lift 30 pounds and apply 30 pounds of torque to ratchets • Able to operate hoist, pallet jacks, or forklift. Operation of forklift requires passing a certification test and the ability to step up 14 inches onto the forklift. Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills • Have knowledge and the ability to perform at different processes • Understand and have the ability to apply WPS to the job • Know different types of welds and weld joints • Knowledge of discontinuities and defects and methods to alleviate Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $42436 - $67898 Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience. Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics. About BAE Systems Platforms & Services BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and naval ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.
See More Details >>Combo Welder & Fitter ($150 per day per diem) • *This is a Contract position based out of Hollywood, South Carolina offering +10-15hrs of weekly OT** Job Description Responsible for joining, fabricating, and repairing metal and other weldable material by applying appropriate welding techniques. Responsible for interpreting blueprints, specifications, diagrams, or schematics to determine appropriate welding process. Responsible for inspecting completed welds to determine structural soundness. Responsible for welding and fitting various large structural steel components for NAVSEA related equipment. Overtime available. Essential Skills • 3-5+ years experience in structural fitting and welding. • 3-5+ years experience in both flux core welding and pulse welding. • 3-5+ years experience in reading and interpreting structural blueprints and welding symbols. • Proficiency in converting fractions to decimals to 1/16th and/or 1/32nd from tape measures. • Experience in using tape measures, squares, and blueprint reading. • 3+ years experience in shipyards and other related fields fabricating and welding large steel components for NAVSEA related equipment. Additional Skills & Qualifications • Experience in fitting up large steel components • Experience with NAVSEA standards is a plus Shift/Compensation Hiring for Night Shift - $25-26/hr + $150 per day per diem Night Shift Hours - 330pm-2am M-Th (with OT on Fri and Sat available) Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $26.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Florence,SC. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2025. About Aerotek: We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow. Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
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