Machinist Apprenticeships in South Carolina

South Carolina has 29 registered apprenticeship sponsors training machinists — 1 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.

Registered sponsors

Union / joint programs

Median machinist wage

$53,040

South Carolina, all experience levels

Job growth 2022–2032

+11.8%

810 openings/yr

Largest Registered Sponsors

Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.

Sponsor	City	Program type
New-Indy Containerboard Union / joint	Catawba	Single Employer
Aalberts integrated piping systems Americas, Inc	Conway	Single Employer
A.O. Smith	McBee	Single Employer
BID Group Technologies US Inc.	St. George	Single Employer
Bosch Rexroth Corporation	Fountain Inn	Single Employer
CMC Steel South Carolina	Cayce	Single Employer
CMMC Machine	Charleston	Single Employer
Coastal Hydraulics	Charleston	Single Employer
Conbraco Industries, Inc	Pageland	Single Employer
DRIVE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES	PIEDMONT	Single Employer

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).

What Machinists Earn in South Carolina

Wages

Median annual wage: $53,040
Average annual wage: $54,360
Machinists employed statewide: 4,530

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.

10-year outlook

Projected growth 2022–2032: +11.8%
Average openings per year: 810
Employment: 7,110 → 7,950

Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.

South Carolina Licensing for Machinists

Jobbers

Education: Undetermined
Experience: Undetermined
Exam: Undetermined
Continuing education: Undetermined

Source: CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor). Time spent in a registered apprenticeship generally counts toward license experience requirements.