Best Carpenter Schools in Sugar Land, Texas (2026)

The best carpenter schools near Sugar Land, Texas pair accredited training with a state median wage of about $48,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This guide ranks nearby schools by proximity and shows local labor-market context so you can compare program length, cost, and credentials.

Key Facts

  • State median wage: $48,900/yr
  • Projected growth: +4.5% (2024-2034), about 74,100 openings/yr
  • Texas employment: 33,540 workers
  • Texas location quotient: 0.55
  • Typical program length: 6-12 months (certificate) to 2 years (associate)
  • Distance origin: Schools sorted by miles from Sugar Land

Sources: BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034; IPEDS, 2024.


Carpenter Schools near Sugar Land (2026)

Schools below are sorted by distance from Sugar Land, Texas. Compare each program’s length, schedule, cost, and credential.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 4 schools within 218 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 4 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Trinity Valley Community College

Athens, TX 180.1 miles away BOC Score 55.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 25.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 50
  • Annual completions: 1523
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $44,266 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

SOWELA Technical Community College

Lake Charles, LA 153.8 miles away BOC Score 49.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • 3820 Senator J. Bennett Johnston Ave Lake Charles, LA 70615
  • (337) 421-6565
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 32
  • Annual completions: 2424
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $60,488 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Austin Community College District

Austin, TX 134.6 miles away BOC Score 49.6
Tuition $2,550 - $15,190
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 19.1%
  • Programs offered: 79
  • Annual completions: 4934
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,624 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

South Louisiana Community College

Lafayette, LA 218.5 miles away BOC Score 40.6
Tuition $4,210 - $19,044
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 30.2%
  • Programs offered: 49
  • Annual completions: 3437
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,336 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Carpenter Pay and Job Outlook

This occupation reported a Texas median annual wage of about $48,900 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Figures reflect all workers in the occupation, not graduates of any single program.

Annual Wage by Percentile, United States - Carpenters
Carpenters annual wage percentiles, BLS OEWS May 2025P10 $40410, P25 $48510, P50 $60580, P75 $76830, P90 $99910.10th$40,41025th$48,51050th (median)$60,58075th$76,83090th$99,910
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Carpenters annual wage percentiles
PercentileAnnual wage
10th$40,410
25th$48,510
50th (median)$60,580
75th$76,830
90th$99,910
Projected employment growth, United States, Carpenters, 2024-2034
Carpenters employment 2024 vs 2034 projection, BLS Employment Projections2024 employment 959000; 2034 projected employment 1.0021e+06; percent change +4.5%.2024959,000 jobs2034 (proj.)1,002,100 jobsChange: +4.5%
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Carpenters employment projection 2024 to 2034
YearEmployment
2024959,000
2034 projected1,002,100
Percent change+4.5%

How to become a carpenter in Texas

Training as a carpenter in Texas generally follows these steps. Licensing and required hours vary by occupation and locality - confirm specifics with your state board before enrolling.

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most programs require a high school diploma or equivalent for admission.
  2. Enroll in an accredited program. Choose an accredited carpenter program near you and complete the required coursework and hands-on or clinical hours.
  3. Complete supervised training or an apprenticeship. Many roles combine classroom instruction with supervised on-the-job or clinical hours. Confirm required hours with your state board.
  4. Earn certification or a state credential. Pass any required certification or licensing exam. Requirements vary in Texas; verify with the state board or licensing authority.
  5. Apply for jobs and continue education. Use your credential to apply to local employers, and keep certifications current through continuing education.

Apprenticeships & Pathways

Some carpenter roles can be entered through a registered apprenticeship or supervised hours that combine paid work with related instruction. Required hour totals differ by program and occupation; confirm exact totals with the sponsoring employer or the state board before committing.

What You’ll Study

A typical carpenter program blends classroom theory with hands-on labs or supervised practice. Coursework usually covers safety, core technical skills, tools and equipment, and preparation for any required certification exam. Course lists vary by school - review each program’s catalog.

Choosing a School

Start with accreditation, then compare program length, schedule (day/evening/online), total cost, and whether the credential matches what local employers hire for. Use the proximity-sorted list above and the Sugar Land labor-market figures to weigh your options.


In Texas

Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does carpenter training take near Sugar Land?

Carpenter certificate programs near Sugar Land typically take 6 to 12 months of full-time study, while associate degree programs generally run about 2 years. Many students also enter the field through a registered apprenticeship or supervised clinical hours. Actual completion time depends on schedule (full-time vs. part-time) and any prerequisite coursework. Confirm exact program lengths with each school.

How much do carpenter workers earn in Texas?

According to BLS OEWS (May 2025), this occupation earned a median annual wage of approximately $48,900 in Texas. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer. The 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $36,980 to $65,920 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do I need a license or certification in Texas?

Requirements vary by role and employer. Many positions value industry certifications and supervised hours, and some occupations require a state license. Always confirm current requirements with your state board or licensing authority before enrolling.

How do I choose a carpenter school near Sugar Land?

Start with accreditation, then compare program length, schedule, total cost, and whether the credential aligns with what local employers hire for. Use the proximity-sorted school list above to weigh nearby options against the local labor market figures on this page.


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)