South Carolina's Metal Fabrication pathway develops skilled metal workers for manufacturing and construction industries. The state's manufacturing base, including aerospace and automotive sectors, creates strong demand.
Students master layout, cutting, bending, and assembly techniques. They work with sheet metal, structural steel, and various fastening methods in fabrication shops.
Graduates work as metal fabricators, welders, fabrication supervisors, or start independent shops. Employment opportunities exist with fabrication shops, manufacturing facilities, construction companies, and aerospace suppliers throughout South Carolina.
Metal Fabrication at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
South Carolina metal fabrication standards cover layout and measuring, cutting techniques, bending and forming, welding, fastening, and assembly. Standards include precision measurement and safety.
Students complete fabrication projects, precision measurement assessments, and joint quality evaluations. State standards emphasize safety and workmanship quality.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Metal Fabrication 1 |
| Metal Fabrication 2 |
| Metal Fabrication 3 |
| Metal Fabrication 4 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Metal Fabricator
Entry LevelSalary range: $45,040 - $57,560
Adjusted for cost of living: $48,337
Welding Fabricator
ExperiencedSalary range: $43,090 - $56,700
Adjusted for cost of living: $52,715
Quality Inspector
ExperiencedSalary range: $36,400 - $55,790
Adjusted for cost of living: $48,122
Shop Supervisor
ExperiencedSalary range: $66,730 - $148,690
Adjusted for cost of living: $106,611
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students work with metal fabrication shops, manufacturing facilities, construction companies, and aerospace suppliers throughout South Carolina.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps South Carolina CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
South Carolina Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with South Carolina's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as South Carolina standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in South Carolina
Architecture and Construction
South Carolina's Architecture and Construction pathway prepares students for careers in the state's thriving construction industry. This comprehensive program covers residential and commercial construction, carpentry, masonry, electrical systems, plumbing, and construction management. With South Carolina experiencing significant population growth and ongoing infrastructure development, the construction industry provides abundant career opportunities throughout the state. The pathway emphasizes both traditional construction crafts and modern building technologies including green building practices, building information modeling (BIM), and sustainable construction methods. Students gain hands-on experience through construction laboratory projects, actual building construction, and partnerships with local construction companies and contractors. The curriculum integrates safety training, blueprint reading, building codes, and construction mathematics essential for success in the trades. South Carolina's Construction Technology programs often involve students in community service projects, building real structures such as sheds, playhouses, or tiny homes that demonstrate mastery of construction skills while serving community needs. Graduates are prepared for immediate employment as apprentice tradespeople, continuation to construction management programs, or establishment of their own contracting businesses.
ConstructionMachine Technology
South Carolina's Machine Technology pathway develops machinists and CNC operators for precision manufacturing. The state's automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing industries demand skilled machinists. Students master blueprint reading, hand machining, CNC programming, tool selection, and quality control. They work with lathes, mills, and modern CNC equipment. Graduates work as machinists, CNC operators, quality control inspectors, or manufacturing engineers. Employment opportunities exist with manufacturing facilities, machine shops, automotive suppliers, and aerospace companies throughout South Carolina.
ManufacturingWelding Technology
South Carolina's Welding Technology pathway provides comprehensive training for one of the state's most in-demand skilled trades. As part of the Advanced Manufacturing cluster, this program prepares students for careers in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and infrastructure maintenance. South Carolina's diverse industrial base—from automotive manufacturing to naval shipbuilding—creates consistent demand for certified welders across the state. The pathway progresses through four sequential courses that build foundational skills in oxyfuel cutting, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMIG), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Students gain extensive hands-on experience in modern welding laboratories, learning industry-standard safety protocols, blueprint reading, metallurgy, and quality control procedures. The curriculum prepares students for multiple AWS (American Welding Society) certifications and immediate workforce entry. South Carolina's Welding Technology programs emphasize both traditional welding techniques and emerging technologies including robotic welding, plasma cutting, and advanced welding inspection methods. Graduates are prepared for careers in diverse industries throughout the state, with opportunities for advancement into welding supervision, inspection, and engineering roles.
Advanced ManufacturingReady to Build Metal Fabrication Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Metal Fabrication in South Carolina.