How to Become a Steamfitter in South Carolina (2026)
South Carolina employs about 5,770 steamfitters earning a median $53,940 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most steamfitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Carolina.
Compare Steamfitter Schools in South Carolina
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | 73.8 | Contact school for pricing | $40,444 | 81% | Yes* | 199 mi |
| 2 | Cape Fear Community College | 57.9 | $2,748 in-state / $8,892 out-of-state | $48,346 | 34% | Yes* | 164 mi |
| 3 | Wake Technical Community College | 55.3 | $2,254 in-state / $6,862 out-of-state | $49,034 | 33% | Yes* | 176 mi |
| 4 | Forsyth Technical Community College | 52.9 | $2,276 in-state / $6,884 out-of-state | $48,625 | 34% | Yes* | 164 mi |
| 5 | Cleveland Community College | 46.6 | $2,602 in-state / $8,746 out-of-state | $41,985 | 32% | Yes* | 115 mi |
| 6 | Central Georgia Technical College | 46.5 | $3,448 in-state / $6,016 out-of-state | $42,979 | 47% | Yes* | 188 mi |
| 7 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | 45.5 | $2,628 in-state / $8,772 out-of-state | $48,138 | 24% | Yes* | 139 mi |
| 8 | Georgia Piedmont Technical College | 44.5 | $3,386 in-state / $5,954 out-of-state | $46,601 | 44% | Yes* | 201 mi |
| 9 | Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville | 35.7 | Contact school for pricing | $34,393 | 75% | — | 203 mi |
| 10 | Guilford Technical Community College | 35.2 | $2,320 in-state / $7,696 out-of-state | $44,924 | 31% | Yes* | 164 mi |
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 5,770 steamfitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $53,940 1. Nationally, steamfitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Steamfitter 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): $53,940 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Steamfitter in South Carolina
How to become a Steamfitter in South Carolina? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for steamfitters in South Carolina.
How long does it take? Most paths into the steamfitter 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 steamfitters earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for steamfitters in South Carolina is $53,940 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,660 and experienced professionals can earn $75,780 or more 1.
How to Become a Steamfitter in South Carolina
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Carolina training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- 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.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in South Carolina.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in South Carolina, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Steamfitter 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
Steamfitter Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,840 | $58,690 | $58,140 | $42,320 | $76,010 |
| Columbia | 1,060 | $52,070 | $55,130 | $38,010 | $75,570 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 960 | $57,360 | $58,210 | $39,100 | $74,880 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 960 | $50,890 | $56,130 | $36,690 | $79,890 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 540 | $54,690 | $56,220 | $36,490 | $77,330 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 460 | $48,340 | $52,860 | $37,430 | $72,560 |
| Spartanburg | 310 | $52,640 | $56,020 | $37,220 | $78,330 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | 210 | $54,870 | $56,940 | $37,840 | $75,990 |
| Florence | 190 | $56,160 | $54,620 | $34,730 | $76,090 |
| Sumter | 80 | $50,840 | $52,620 | $36,950 | $69,640 |
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 steamfitters in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 5,770 steamfitters 1. Nationally, steamfitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% 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 steamfitters earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for steamfitters in South Carolina is $53,940, which is $9,030 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
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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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |