In short
Houston residents can train for the trades at Houston Community College, San Jacinto College, Lone Star College, or Texas State Technical College, through union apprenticeships for electricians, plumbers, and pipefitters, or at private trade schools for fast programs like welding, HVAC, and CDL. The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG), Pell, and WIOA through Workforce Solutions can cover much or all of community college tuition. Most programs take 4 weeks to 2 years. Fill out the form to hear from schools near you.
What the trades pay in Houston
Houston pay runs a little above the national numbers for most trades and well above for anything tied to the refineries and chemical plants along the Ship Channel. Here's a typical range for experienced workers in the metro, plus how long it takes to get in:
| Trade | Training time | Typical pay in Houston | How you get in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welder | 7–9 months | About $50,000–$60,000; pipe and plant welders higher | Trade school or San Jac/HCC; plant contractors hire from programs |
| Pipefitter | 5-year paid apprenticeship | About $60,000–$75,000 | Pipefitters Local 211 apprenticeship, or helper jobs at plant contractors |
| Electrician | 9–12 months of school, or 4–5 yr paid apprenticeship | About $55,000–$66,000 | IBEW Local 716 apprenticeship, or school then apprentice license |
| Plumber | 1 year school, or 4–5 yr paid apprenticeship | About $55,000–$66,000 | Plumbers Local 68 apprenticeship, or trade school |
| HVAC technician | 6–12 months | About $50,000–$58,000 | Trade school or community college; TDLR registration |
| CDL truck driver | 3–7 weeks | About $50,000–$58,000; port and tanker work higher | CDL school; many carriers pay for it |
| Medical assistant | 9–12 months | About $38,000–$44,000 | Trade school or community college; Texas Medical Center hires constantly |
Typical ranges for experienced workers in the Houston metro, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics area data (May 2024), rounded. Starting pay is lower. Union apprentices start near half of journeyman scale with raises every six to twelve months.
Want the short list for Houston?
Pick a trade on the form and only schools that teach it near you will reach out.
Where to train
Community and technical colleges
Houston Community College (several campuses), San Jacinto College (Pasadena side, strong welding and process technology for the plants), Lone Star College (north side), and Texas State Technical College (Fort Bend campus). Cheapest tuition, and the only place Texas state grants work.
Union apprenticeships
IBEW Local 716 (electricians), Plumbers Local 68, and Pipefitters Local 211 all run apprenticeship programs in Houston. You work full time for a contractor, earn a paycheck, and go to class a couple of evenings a week. No tuition. Four to five years to full scale, earning the whole time.
Private trade schools
Faster, focused programs: CDL in a month, welding or HVAC in under a year, medical or dental assisting in about nine months. Cost more than the colleges but start every few weeks and usually include job placement help. Ask for accreditation and placement numbers before you sign.
What Texas will help pay
Texas money for training
- TEOG
- Texas Educational Opportunity Grant. For Texas residents at public community, technical, and state colleges with financial need. Apply with the FAFSA; the college awards it. Many trade certificates and degrees qualify.
- Pell Grant
- Federal. Up to $7,395 a year based on income. Free to apply at studentaid.gov.
- WIOA
- Free training through Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast (Houston's job center network) if you qualify. Ask them before you enroll anywhere.
- Hazlewood Act
- Texas veterans can get up to 150 credit hours at public colleges with tuition and most fees waived. Separate from and on top of the GI Bill.
- GI Bill
- Covers community college, most trade schools, CDL school, and apprenticeships.
Sources: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (TEOG, Hazlewood); Federal Student Aid; Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast. Amounts and rules change; confirm with the school's financial aid office.
Stack those and a lot of Houston adults attend HCC or San Jac for close to nothing out of pocket. Private schools can't take TEOG or Hazlewood, but they do take Pell, GI Bill, and WIOA.
Licenses you'll need in Texas
Plumbers in Texas are licensed by a separate board. Your school or apprenticeship will walk you through all of it; the point is that the license is part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Questions from Houston
Which trade pays best in Houston?
Pipefitters and welders working the plants and refineries, especially with certifications for pipe and pressure work. Overtime during a turnaround (a plant shutdown for maintenance) can push a year well past $80,000. Electricians and plumbers are close behind and more steady year-round.
Can I train at night and keep my job?
Yes. HCC, San Jac, and most private schools run evening sections for the main trades. CDL schools often run weekends. Tell the school your hours.
I don't have a GED. Where do I start?
HCC and Workforce Solutions both offer free GED classes, and some trade schools let you start a program and finish your GED alongside it. Pick "Some high school" on the form.
Do I need to speak English well for trade school?
Classes and tests are mostly in English, and TDLR tests are offered in English and Spanish for some licenses. Several Houston schools run bilingual welding and HVAC programs. Ask when they call.