TX School Directory
Browse 60 accredited trade schools and vocational training programs in Texas
60
Schools
14
Cities
15
Trade Programs
Texas has the largest trade school market in the U.S. by enrollment, anchored by Texas State Technical College (TSTC), the Houston Community College system, Dallas College, Austin Community College, and a deep network of private institutes. Population growth, oil & gas, and a construction boom have made skilled-trade jobs some of the fastest-growing in the state.
Texas leads the nation in welding, CDL, and pipeline-related trades because of the energy sector. Healthcare trades are booming around Houston (Texas Medical Center) and Dallas-Fort Worth. The continued migration into Austin, San Antonio, and DFW has pushed wages for electricians, HVAC techs, and plumbers well above national averages.
Based on hiring activity, employer demand, and program enrollment in TX.
Pipeline, refinery, and structural work in the Permian Basin and Gulf Coast
Largest trucking market in the U.S. with strong starting pay
Year-round AC demand and rapid housing construction
New construction and ERCOT grid expansion projects
Texas Medical Center alone employs over 100,000 healthcare workers
Typical range
$4,000–$18,000
Total tuition
Listed school avg.
$13,289
Across 60 schools
Schools listed
60
In 14 cities
See our full trade school cost guide for state-by-state breakdowns and a deeper look at how to fund your training.
Trade licensing in TX varies by program. Here's what you'll typically need to legally work in each field after training:
| Trade | TX Requirement |
|---|---|
| Electrician | TDLR-issued Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Electrician license |
| Plumber | TSBPE Tradesman → Journeyman → Master Plumber license |
| HVAC Technician | TDLR ACR Technician Registration; EPA 608 required for refrigerant work |
| CDL | Class A/B issued by Texas DPS; ELDT certified training required since Feb 2022 |
| Welding | AWS certifications voluntary but standard for pipeline and structural work |
Trade school in Texas typically costs $4,000-$18,000. TSTC and community colleges are usually under $8,000 total; private career schools run $12,000-$18,000. Texas residents qualify for in-state tuition at all public institutions.
TSTC (Texas State Technical College) reports some of the highest job placement rates in the state, often above 85%, because of direct employer partnerships. Lincoln Tech, Tulsa Welding School Houston, and the Universal Technical Institute Houston also have strong placement networks.
Yes — Texas welders earn an average of $52,000-$58,000 per year, with pipeline and underwater specialists earning $80,000+. Programs typically run 6-12 months and many graduates have offers before they finish.
602 NW Loop 410 Suite 122, San Antonio, TX 78216
N/A
N/A students
742 Northwest Loop 410, Suite 226, San Antonio, TX 78216
$17,500
250 students
1819 N. Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212
$4,500
22,000 students
734 SE Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78214
$17,000
600 students
8434 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78229
$13,500
800 students
1801 Martin Luther King Drive, San Antonio, TX 78203
$4,500
12,000 students
8711 Burnet Road, Suite H98, Austin, TX 78757
$16,000
250 students
6101 Highland Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78752
$2,550
34,527 students
6101 Highland Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78752
$4,500
70,000 students
1020 Grove Boulevard, Austin, TX 78741
$4,500
8,000 students
9503 Research Boulevard, Building 3, Suite 310, Austin, TX 78759
$19,500
250 students
1701 W Ben White Blvd, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78744
$17,000
1,079 students
301 West Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78753
$24,500
1,500 students
1813 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008
N/A
N/A students
8909 South Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston, TX 77075
$36,000
600 students
8989 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77017
$12,700
350 students
240 Northwest Mall, Houston, TX 77092
$14,000
1,500 students
11875 W Sam Houston Parkway South, Houston, TX 77031
$18,000
700 students
7070 Allensby St, Houston, TX 77022
$12,600
N/A students
10120 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77092
$15,500
800 students
3100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77002
$2,547
48,159 students
10600 Northwest Fwy Suite 202, Houston, TX 77092
N/A
N/A students
5060 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77056
$6,300
400 students
4720 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77004
$17,000
800 students
2700 W W Thorne Dr, Houston, TX 77073
N/A
N/A students
1700 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
$13,500
700 students
11511 Katy Freeway Suite 200, Houston, TX 77079
N/A
N/A students
243 W. 23rd Street, Houston, TX 77008
$18,000
1,100 students
10880 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77092
$15,000
900 students
721 Lockhaven Drive, Houston, TX 77073
$22,000
2,200 students
4669 Southwest Fwy Suite 100, Houston, TX 77027
N/A
N/A students
12606 Greenville Avenue, Suite 130, Dallas, TX 75243
$18,500
600 students
1601 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
$2,370
66,592 students
801 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202
$4,500
14,000 students
13370 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75240
N/A
N/A students
8035 East R L Thornton Fwy Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75228
N/A
N/A students
6333 E Mockingbird Ln Suite 201, Dallas, TX 75214
$16,500
N/A students
17174 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75248
$14,600
N/A students
2540 Walnut Hill Ln, Dallas, TX 75229
N/A
N/A students
1050 N Westmoreland Rd Suite 200B, Dallas, TX 75211
N/A
N/A students
243 N Walton Walker Blvd, Dallas, TX 75211
N/A
N/A students
2611 Internet Blvd Suite 101, Frisco, TX 75034
N/A
N/A students
PO Box 20500, El Paso, TX 79998
$3,274
N/A students
1580 George Dieter Dr Suite 207, El Paso, TX 79936
N/A
N/A students
6926 Gateway Blvd E, El Paso, TX 79915
N/A
N/A students
5601 Bridge St Suite 300, Fort Worth, TX 76112
N/A
N/A students
6125 SW Loop 820 Suite 128, Fort Worth, TX 76132
$16,500
N/A students
300 Trinity Campus Cir, Fort Worth, TX 76102
$3,537
N/A students
5301 Campus Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76119
N/A
N/A students
5301 Campus Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
$4,500
50,000 students
2413 W Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062
$15,185
N/A students
700 E. Airport Freeway, Irving, TX 75062
$20,000
1,100 students
5151 Regent Blvd, Irving, TX 75063
N/A
N/A students
With 60 options to compare, choosing the right trade school takes some research. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating programs in TX: