TradeFooting
Open

Welder · Texas

Welder programs in Texas

In Texas, Gulf Coast pipe work pays in year one. A booth school does not.

Tuition on the school path is real money. First-year pay on the apprenticeship path is a paycheck. Seats are not guaranteed on either side.

Welder in the United States

Updated Apr 2026

TSTC Welding Technology published tuition — $8,000–$15,000

In-state technical-college range, consumables extra · Feb 2026

Year one in Texas

One paid path and one school path. The full list is below.

Paid training · listed first

ABC Texas welding / pipefitting apprenticeship

ABC Texas chapters · Houston / DFW / Beaumont

Tuition
$0–$3,500
First-year wage
$16–$20/hr

You pay · no paycheck in class

TSTC welding technology

Texas State Technical College · Multiple TSTC campuses

Tuition
$8,000–$15,000
First-year wage
$0 during school

All programs on this page

01

ABC Texas welding / pipefitting apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$0–$3,500

Employer-sponsored. Classroom and booth fees vary.

First-year wage

$16–$20/hr

Paid helper / first-year welder scale.

Term

4 years

Steps with process tickets (SMAW, FCAW, TIG)

ABC Texas chapters·Houston / DFW / Beaumont

Source: ABC Texas chapter pages (2026-03)

02

Houston / Beaumont pipe welder JATC (UA)

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

$0

Paid OJT. Booth time in related instruction.

First-year wage

$17–$22/hr

First-year fitter/welder percentage of local scale.

Term

4–5 years

Gulf Coast pipe welders often well above shop structural rates with overtime

UA local JATCs·Houston / Beaumont / Gulf Coast

Source: UA Texas local public program notes (2026-04)

03

TSTC welding technology

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$8,000–$15,000

In-state technical-college range. Consumables extra.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Unpaid booth time. Texas structural entry often $18–$24/hr after.

Term

9–16 months

Texas welder median near the U.S. middle; pipe work higher

Texas State Technical College·Multiple TSTC campuses

Source: TSTC published tuition and program pages (2026-02)

Other welder states

Get welder numbers for another state

We only write when new year-one numbers go up.