Best Welder Schools in Texas

Compare accredited Welder schools across Texas below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.

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Best Welder Schools in Texas

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

M T Training Center

Grand Prairie, TX In-state option BOC Score 78.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 79.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 12
  • Annual completions: 1259
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $37,432 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Brazosport College

Lake Jackson, TX In-state option BOC Score 68.8
Tuition $2,388 - $12,167
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 46.8%
  • Programs offered: 28
  • Annual completions: 511
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,740 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

College of the Mainland

Texas City, TX In-state option BOC Score 64.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 42
  • Annual completions: 681
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,013 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth

Irving, TX In-state option BOC Score 62.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 71.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 1793
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,080 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Welder Schools in Texas

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Texas.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
178.9Contact school for pricing$37,43280%Yes*In-state
268.8$2,388 - $12,167$62,74047%Yes*In-state
365.2Contact school for pricingNot reported84%In-state
464.9Contact school for pricing$58,013Not reportedYes*In-state
562.6Contact school for pricing$57,08071%In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Texas are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Texas 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.

Median Graduate Earnings at Welder Schools in Texas
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Welder Schools in Texas (College Scorecard)Brazosport College $62740; College of the Mainland $58013; Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth $57080; M T Training Center $37432.Brazosport College$62,740College of the Mainland$58,013Universal Technical Institut...$57,080M T Training Center$37,432
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Welder Schools in Texas
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Brazosport College$62,740
College of the Mainland$58,013
Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth$57,080
M T Training Center$37,432

Welder Pay and Job Outlook

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers annual wage by percentile: $39,240 at the 10th percentile, $53,750 median, $77,530 at the 90th. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
What welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn across the pay scale
Projected job growth for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers: 457,300 jobs in 2024 to 467,200 in 2034, +2.2% change. Source: U.S. BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034.
Projected job growth for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Top-paying states for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers - Alaska leads at $80,840. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
Top-paying states for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

Texas Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$53,340BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment52,000 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient1.38BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate4.1%BLS LAUS (2024)

Top Cities for Welder Training in Texas

The cities below have the highest concentration of welder training programs and population centers within Texas. Click through for school listings near each:

Steps to Become a Licensed Welder in Texas

  1. Choose an accredited training path. Options typically include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
  2. Complete the required classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
  3. Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
  4. Pass the state or local licensing exam where required.
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required.

In Texas, CareerOneStop reports state-recognized credentials such as the VETERINARIAN for this trade (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor).

State Wage and Employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 52,000 welders working in Texas as of May 2025, earning a median annual wage of approximately $53,340 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). Texas’s location quotient of 1.38 indicates jobs in this trade are more concentrated than the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Apprenticeships in Texas

In Texas, registered apprenticeships are listed through the Texas Workforce Commission - Apprenticeship (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor). Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, typically over 3 to 5 years. American Welding Society (AWS) certifications are widely recognized; Ironworkers, Boilermakers, and UA locals run welder apprenticeships.

Find Welder Programs Across Texas

The cities below have local welder program directories. Click any city to compare schools nearby:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do welders need a license in Texas?

Licensing requirements for welders vary across Texas. CareerOneStop and the relevant state agency publish current credential lists; verify scope and exam rules before applying.

How long does welder training take in Texas?

Typical certificate programs run 6 to 12 months, associate degrees take about 2 years, and registered apprenticeships generally last 3 to 5 years while paying on-the-job wages.

What is the median wage for welders in Texas?

BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $53,340 for this occupation in Texas (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Wages vary by experience, employer, and metro area.

Welder Wages and Workforce in Texas

In Texas, Welder programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $53,340 per year, and most earn between $38,380 and $80,240 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Texas employs roughly 52,000 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.38 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Texas include M T Training Center, Brazosport College, and McAllen Careers Institute. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Welder Training and Licensing in Texas

Welder work is not licensed at the state level in Texas.

Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does welder training in Texas involve?

Welder training in Texas is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.

How much do welders earn in Texas?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), welders in Texas earned a median annual wage of approximately $53,340. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $38,380 to $80,240 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Texas license or certification process for welders?

Licensing for welder work is handled at the state level in Texas. Consult Texas's licensing board for current training, examination, and renewal requirements before enrolling in a program.


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/.

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)