Best Trade Schools in Victoria, Texas (2025 Guide)

Here are the best schools in Victoria. This guide compares accredited programs, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Texas licensing. Use it to pick a program that fits your timeline and goals. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers remain in steady demand in Texas[^1].

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Top Trade Schools in Victoria

Skilled Trades in Demand

• Electrician

  • Electrical work touches residential, commercial, and industrial sites across the Coastal Bend. Texas electricians earn solid middle-income wages and benefit from consistent project pipelines[^1]. Entry starts as a registered apprentice. Advancing to Journeyman and Master boosts earnings and independence.

• HVAC Technician

  • Hot Texas summers and growing populations keep HVAC service steady. Most new techs register with TDLR as ACR Technicians and earn EPA 608 to handle refrigerants. With experience and an exam you can become a licensed ACR Contractor and run your own business[^4][^7].

• Welder

  • Refineries, fabrication shops, shipyards, and construction create ongoing welding needs in South Texas. Employers often look for AWS or NCCER credentials. Many programs teach MIG, TIG, and stick, plus blueprint reading and safety[^5].

• Plumber

  • Plumbing offers stable work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Texas requires state licensing through TSBPE with structured on-the-job training and exams. Water conservation and code updates keep skills current[^6].

Median pay in Texas varies by trade and experience; statewide BLS data shows dependable earnings for electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and welders with room to grow through licensing and certifications[^1].

Median Salaries for Popular Trades

Median salaries reflect the latest OEWS release; national data shown when state medians are unavailable.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. State data (Texas). Job growth reflects projected U.S. change for each trade.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrical (TDLR)

• Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR; work under a licensed contractor[^4].
• Log 8,000 hours to qualify for the Journeyman Electrician exam; pass the exam.
• For Master Electrician: typically 12,000 hours and time-in-grade as a Journeyman; pass the Master exam.
• Complete required continuing education each renewal cycle; follow local permitting rules.

HVAC/Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (TDLR)

• Register as an ACR Technician to perform work under a licensed contractor[^4].
• Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants[^7].
• To open your own shop: meet experience requirements (usually 48 months under a licensed contractor or equivalent), pass the ACR Contractor exam, choose license class (A or B), carry required insurance, and complete continuing education.

Plumbing (TSBPE)

• Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice; work under a responsible master plumber[^6].
• Tradesman Limited: 4,000 hours + exam.
• Journeyman: 8,000 hours + exam.
• Master: experience as a Journeyman + exam. CE required for renewals. Optional endorsements include Medical Gas and Water Supply Protection.

Cosmetology (TDLR)

• Complete an approved program (e.g., 1,000 hours for Operator).
• Pass the written and practical exams; apply for licensure and renew with CE[^4].

Welding

• No state license. Employers and unions typically require skills verification and industry credentials such as AWS D1.1 or NCCER performance certifications[^5]. Many programs embed these exams.

Online & Flexible Options

• Hybrid learning: Many trade programs deliver theory online and schedule hands-on labs on campus. Ask schools about evening and weekend labs if you work full-time.
• Short courses and exam prep: Find online prep for EPA 608 (HVAC), OSHA 10/30, basic electricity, blueprint reading, and code updates.
• Apprenticeships: Earn while you learn. NCCER- and DOL-affiliated programs often hold evening classes with paid daytime site work[^5].
• General education: Community colleges let you complete gen ed courses online while you attend in-person labs for shop work.
• Support services: Ask about career services, employer days, and certification test vouchers included with your program.

Next Steps

• Compare programs and visit campuses. Start at the Texas state hub: Texas Trade Schools and the national hub: Trade Schools.
• Explore careers and credentials: Trades Hub, plus guides for Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing.
• Plan your path and timeline: See our Guides for admissions checklists, certifications, and funding options.

If you want one school to tour first in Victoria, start with Victoria College or Southern Careers Institute. Both offer hands-on labs, stackable credentials, and clear pathways to entry-level jobs and state licensing.

[^1]: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wages and job outlook; see May 2023 State data for Texas and OOH profiles: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ and https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm [^2]: U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator institutional profiles (Victoria College, Del Mar College, Wharton County Junior College, Coastal Bend College): https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ [^3]: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) school directory; Southern Careers Institute: https://www.accsc.org/ [^4]: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): Electricians, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, and Cosmetology licensing and school approvals: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ [^5]: National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), Accredited Training Sponsors/Performance Certifications: https://www.nccer.org/ [^6]: Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), Licensing pathways and exams: https://tsbpe.texas.gov/ [^7]: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Section 608 Technician Certification: https://www.epa.gov/section608

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