Top 25 Welding Schools In Texas (2026)

Texas offers a robust and expanding landscape for welding education, driven by significant demand from the petrochemical, pipeline, and construction industries. Texas leads the nation in welder employment, with jobs expected to grow by 11% between 2022 and 2032 and a median annual salary of over $49,000.

This list highlights 25 welding schools across the state, including comprehensive technical colleges, community college systems, and specialized private institutions, each offering distinct programs to prepare students for in-demand careers.

Top 25 Welding Schools In Texas

1. Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – Waco Campus

TSTC’s Waco campus is the flagship of the 11-campus system, offering training in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The school operates under a performance-based funding model, ensuring programs align with workforce needs. Students can pursue certificates and associate degrees in a state-of-the-art lab environment with highly experienced instructors.

2. TSTC – Brownwood Campus

The Brownwood campus draws students from diverse backgrounds, including military veterans and high school graduates seeking a hands-on, lucrative career. The program emphasizes safety and attention to detail, with students working toward certificates and associate degrees to refine their craft. The program has become a popular choice for those wanting to start their careers sooner rather than later.

3. TSTC – Harlingen Campus

TSTC Harlingen offers welding programs as part of its Engineering & Manufacturing pathway, training students in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW processes. The program prepares students for careers in the petrochemical and manufacturing sectors that dominate the South Texas region. Students develop skills in operating advanced manufacturing equipment and reading technical drawings.

4. TSTC – Marshall Campus

TSTC Marshall has a nationally recognized welding program driven by petrochemical, pipeline, and construction demand across the state. Students train in various welding processes and prepare for careers in manufacturing, construction, and energy sectors. The program has strong industry partnerships and excellent job placement rates.

5. TSTC – Fort Bend County Campus

TSTC Fort Bend County offers welding training in the Engineering & Manufacturing pathway, providing students with skills in TIG, SMAW, and GTAW welding. The program addresses the critical shortage of skilled technicians in the Houston area. Students develop practical skills with industry-standard equipment and techniques.

6. TSTC – New Braunfels Campus

TSTC New Braunfels offers welding programs as part of its Engineering & Manufacturing curriculum, training students in precision welding and fabrication techniques. The program is integrated with the local manufacturing community and offers opportunities for students to pursue certificates and associate degrees.

7. TSTC – North Texas Campus (Red Oak)

The North Texas campus in Red Oak offers welding training in its state-of-the-art labs, with a focus on TIG, SMAW, and GTAW welding. The 100,000-square-foot facility serves students of all ages and offers dual credit opportunities for high school students. The program prepares graduates for careers in the Dallas-Fort Worth manufacturing sector.

8. TSTC – Abilene Campus

TSTC Abilene provides welding programs as part of its technical education offerings, serving the West Texas region. Students receive hands-on training in multiple welding processes and can earn certificates and associate degrees that lead to high-demand jobs in the energy and construction sectors.

9. Dallas College – Eastfield Campus

Dallas College’s Eastfield Campus offers a comprehensive Welding Applications A.A.S. degree, Level II Certificate, and specialization in Multiple Welding Process, Pipe Welding and Fitting, or Fabrication. Students gain skills in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW processes and can choose from three different emphasis areas to tailor their education to career goals.

10. Dallas College – Mountain View Campus

The Mountain View Campus offers the Rising Welder Certificate, an introductory program covering SMAW, GMAW, blueprint reading, and a choice of GTAW or Introduction to Fabrication. The campus also provides the Structural Welding Certificate, an intermediate program building on entry-level skills. Both programs serve as pathways to the A.A.S. degree.

11. Dallas College – North Lake Campus

North Lake Campus offers the same welding programs as Eastfield and Mountain View, including the Rising Welder Certificate, Structural Welding Certificate, and Welding Applications A.A.S. degree. Students can progress through certificates to an associate degree, gaining progressively advanced skills in multiple welding processes.

12. Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) – Beaumont

LIT offers a Pipe Welding – Level II Certificate, a 37-credit hour program that provides instruction on carbon and stainless steel plate and pipe using SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW processes. The program is designed to meet the growing demand for talented welders in the petrochemical areas of Southeast Texas. Graduates are prepared for employment as welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers.

13. Lincoln Tech – Grand Prairie

Lincoln Tech’s Grand Prairie campus features more than 40 training booths equipped with Miller welding equipment and offers programs covering welding and cutting fundamentals, arc welding, plate welding, fabrication processes, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW. The program is designed to teach skills that hiring managers are looking for. A Houston campus is also planned to open in the future.

14. Lincoln Tech – Houston (Future Campus)

Lincoln Tech’s Houston campus is currently not yet open but is planned to offer welding technology training to meet the high demand in the Houston area. Prospective students can sign up to be notified when the campus opens and begins accepting applications. The program will mirror the Grand Prairie curriculum.

15. South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) – Multiple Campuses

STVT operates welding programs at multiple campuses across Texas, offering hands-on training in various welding processes and techniques. The school is ranked among the top trade schools in America and provides career-focused education for students in the skilled trades. Graduates are prepared for immediate entry into the workforce.

16. Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Houston

UTI Houston offers welding technology programs as part of its comprehensive skilled trades curriculum, with training in various welding processes and techniques. The campus operates in a major hub for energy, transportation, and aviation industries, providing students with excellent career opportunities upon graduation.

17. UTI – Dallas/Fort Worth (Irving)

UTI Dallas offers welding technology programs alongside automotive and diesel training, providing students with skills in multiple welding processes. Students learn in hands-on labs and are prepared to enter the workforce quickly with industry-recognized certifications. The campus offers manufacturer-specific training partnerships.

18. UTI – Austin

UTI Austin offers welding technology programs with hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities. Students are prepared to test for industry certifications upon graduation, and training can accelerate entry into the workforce. The campus is located in the state capital, offering access to a growing job market.

19. Tulsa Welding School – Houston

Tulsa Welding School Houston offers an intensive Welding Technology/Welder program with tuition of approximately $21,525. The school provides hands-on welding training for students seeking careers in the skilled trades, with a curriculum that emphasizes practical skills and safety. Students gain proficiency in multiple welding processes and techniques.

20. Del Mar College – Corpus Christi

Del Mar College offers welding programs at its Corpus Christi campus, serving the Coastal Bend region. Students train in various welding processes and techniques, preparing for careers in manufacturing and construction. The college provides affordable, accessible education with strong industry connections.

21. El Paso Community College – El Paso

El Paso Community College offers welding programs serving the West Texas and border region, providing accessible healthcare education to a diverse student population. Students gain hands-on experience and develop skills in multiple welding processes. The college offers affordable in-state tuition and flexible scheduling.

22. Austin Community College – Austin

Austin Community College offers welding programs with training in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW processes. Students can earn certificates and associate degrees that prepare them for entry-level positions in the growing Austin-area manufacturing and construction sectors. The college provides affordable training and strong industry connections.

23. Houston Community College – Houston

Houston Community College offers a range of welding programs with strong pipeline to refinery and industrial work in the Houston area. The programs are designed to meet the workforce needs of one of the nation’s largest industrial centers. Graduates find employment in the energy sector, manufacturing, and construction.

24. San Antonio College – San Antonio

San Antonio College offers welding programs through the Alamo Colleges District, serving the South Texas region with accessible career training. The programs provide training in multiple welding processes and techniques, preparing students for careers in construction, manufacturing, and maintenance roles.

25. Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – Sweetwater Campus

TSTC Sweetwater offers welding programs as part of its Engineering & Manufacturing pathway, training students in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW welding. The program serves the West Texas region and prepares graduates for careers in the energy and manufacturing sectors. Students develop skills in operating advanced manufacturing equipment and reading technical drawings.

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Choosing a Welding School

Start by deciding between public community colleges and private technical schools; public institutions like TSTC and Dallas College offer some of the most affordable options with in-state tuition, while private schools like Lincoln Tech and Tulsa Welding School may have higher costs but often provide faster completion times and specialized equipment.

Consider the program’s length and level; Dallas College offers a progression from the Rising Welder Certificate to the Structural Welding Certificate and finally an A.A.S. degree, allowing students to enter the workforce at different stages.

Look for schools with strong industry partnerships and job placement; TSTC programs are aligned with workforce demand, and Lincoln Tech features more than 40 training booths equipped with Miller equipment.

Evaluate each program’s facilities and equipment, and check if the school offers financial aid options, scholarships, or grants to help cover costs.

For specialized training, consider Lamar Institute of Technology’s Pipe Welding Level II Certificate program, which focuses on skills needed in the petrochemical industry.

Closing

Texas provides a comprehensive and diverse selection of welding schools, from the 11-campus TSTC system to specialized private institutions like Lincoln Tech, UTI, and Tulsa Welding School. With the state facing critical workforce shortages in skilled trades and Texas leading the nation in welder employment, careers in welding offer strong earning potential and job security.

Whether you are a high school student seeking an early start through dual credit programs at TSTC North Texas or a career-changer seeking accelerated training at a private school, Texas welding schools provide pathways to success in this high-demand industry.

Note that all information, including tuition and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school.