How to Become a CNC Machinist in South Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Carolina employs about 3,790 cnc machinists earning a median $57,970 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Carolina.

Compare CNC Machinist Schools in South Carolina

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
151.5$5,210 in-state / $8,354 out-of-state$53,08432%Yes*14 mi
250.6$4,546 in-state / $8,620 out-of-state$58,78330%Yes*69 mi
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350.3$4,468 in-state / $8,836 out-of-state$46,00038%Yes*100 mi
449.0$1,956 in-state / $6,564 out-of-state$42,77146%Yes*100 mi
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548.4$5,174 in-state / $7,924 out-of-state$54,58834%Yes*64 mi
645.7$4,775 in-state / $6,923 out-of-state$44,55533%Yes*85 mi
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745.4$4,282 in-state / $7,492 out-of-state$43,46931%Yes*78 mi
843.9$5,715 in-state / $9,016 out-of-state$45,87634%Yes*26 mi
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941.9$5,100 in-state / $14,700 out-of-state$46,83218%Yes*26 mi
1040.4$8,036 in-state / $13,340 out-of-state$47,73830%—84 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Carolina employs approximately 3,790 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,970 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 29,500 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a CNC Machinist in South Carolina, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (South Carolina): $57,970 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a CNC Machinist in South Carolina

How to become a CNC Machinist in South Carolina? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in South Carolina.

How long does it take? Most paths into the cnc machinist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do cnc machinists earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in South Carolina is $57,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,270 and experienced professionals can earn $75,650 or more 1.

How to Become a CNC Machinist in South Carolina

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Carolina training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in South Carolina that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to cnc machinists in South Carolina before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in South Carolina

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. South Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Apprenticeship South Carolina 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: SC Technical College System - Apprenticeship Carolina
  • Address: 111 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29201-2496
  • Phone: (803) 765-5548

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), machinists wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia2,390$60,210$58,820$39,880$76,080
Greenville-Anderson-Greer1,050$57,970$56,210$38,800$72,210
Charleston-North Charleston470$59,280$59,370$46,930$75,160
Spartanburg420$60,060$58,770$42,640$74,700
Augusta-Richmond County370$67,140$67,460$44,070$100,820
Columbia240$59,570$56,610$36,350$74,930
Florence160$56,900$56,320$36,240$78,490
Sumter90$49,480$55,230$40,600$81,060
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach50$46,460$46,310$30,950$65,470

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 3,790 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Carolina. You can also contact the Apprenticeship South Carolina for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in South Carolina is $57,970, which is $1,820 above the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data 1.

In South Carolina

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Apprenticeship South Carolina: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)