How Do You Get a Welding Certification in Texas?

Welding, like other skilled trades, is suffering from a shortage of new welders as the experienced ones retire. That means companies across industries all over the U.S. are scrambling for skilled welders.

Couple that with the post COVID-19 pandemic labor shortage, and it’s one of the best times in history to get into the welding profession.

The American Welding Society is the professional organization that serves the welding industry and offers the basic Certified Welder certificate. AWS certifications are the gold standard throughout the U.S.; even public high schools consult closely with the AWS to keep their technical curriculum up-to-date.

Some municipalities across the US require special licenses to work within the city, even if you have a statewide certification. In Texas, for the most part, you can work in any city with a state certification.

The AWS also has certification waiver programs if you are already certified by organizations like the International Institute of Welding, for example.

AWS credentials are transferable across the U.S., but you may need additional licenses depending on which locality you plan to work in.

Here are certifications the AWS offers and a little bit about what new skills and jobs will open up to you with each:

You’ll likely have to take classes through your technical program at your high school to get the necessary classroom and basic practical skills. If you’re switching into welding as an adult, the AWS offers all sorts of seminars and curriculum, depending on where you are in your career and what path you want to take.

These educational programs are not included with certification costs and exams in many cases and can run as long as 18 months and cost from a few thousand bucks to more than $50,000 depending on the source of training, according to WeldingTroop, an online trade magazine. You should pick a program through the AWS or a local/state licensing body to be sure your time is being put to good use.

The market for such educational programs across professions is filled with firms trying to get easy money without providing much value. Do your research and, ideally, get tips on picking an educational program from someone who is already in the industry. For more information on picking the right program, a good bet is to always defer to the information available from the American Welding Association, being the nationwide standard bearer.

Salary averages for basic welding positions throughout the metro areas of Texas run from $43,000 per year to about $61,000 per year, depending on the part of Texas you're working in and your level of experience.

If you're right out of school or your apprenticeship, don't expect to make $30 an hour right away, however. The average for a mid-career welder in Austin and Dallas is about $50,000 ($24.04/hour), and up to $55,000 ($26.92/hour) in Houston. With the average range being between 40-60,000 in the state of Texas in 2026, according to ZipRecruiter data. Although more skilled roles will only see an increase from there.

Here is a list of certified Texas welding schools from GoWelding.org:

• Amarillo College Welding Technology
• Angelina College Welding Technology
• ATI Career Training Center Welding
• Austin Community College Welding Technology
• Eastfield College Welding Technology
• El Centro College Welding Technology
• El Paso County Community College Welding Program
• Frank Phillips College
• Gary Jobs Corp Center
• Grayson County College
• Hill College Welding Department
• Kilgore College Welding Program
• Lincoln Group of Schools – Welding
• Lone Star College System Welding Technology
• Laredo Community College
• Laredo Jobs Corp
• Lee College
• Mountain View College Welding
• Odessa College Welding
• Ponola College Welding Technology
• Ranger College Welding Program
• San Jacinto College Welding Technology
• South Plains College Welding Technology
• Tarrant County College Welding Technology
• Texarkana College Welding Program
• Texas State Technical College Welding Technology Program
• Trinity Valley Community College Welding Program
• Tulsa Welding School Houston
• Tyler Jonior College Welding Program
• Vernon College
• Western Technical College Advanced Welding
• Western Texas College Welding Programs

The American Welding Society certifications are recognized throughout the U.S., and is the certification recognized statewide in Texas. If you have completed your welding training at one of the above schools, you will need to take the test at an accredited testing facility. According to the American Welding Society, they include:

• Alamo Colleges: St. Philip's College SW Campus
• Bill J. Priest Institute
• McAllen Careers Institute
• Pearland ISD
• South Texas College Technology Campus
• Tulsa Welding School, Houston Campus

If you want to work for the State of Texas, building freeways for the transportation department, for example, you'll need specific structural welding certification.

"A certified welder has passed the ... Bridge Welding Code qualification ... 'Certified Steel Structures Welder," states the Texas Department of Transportation website. "All welding for certification must be performed in the presence of testing lab personnel. The welder is responsible for all costs associated with testing required for certification. The certification remains in effect as long as the welder performs acceptable work for TxDOT as determined by the Bridge Division."

In conclusion, welding may seem like a straightforward job, but getting into it requires hard work, dedication, and knowing what you want to go after. For those just considering entering the field, while it may seem overwhelming at first, just know that this is a career with plenty of room for growth and advancement in a number of directions that will pay dividends if you invest yourself into it.