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Carpenter · Texas

Carpenter programs in Texas

In Texas, a first-year carpenter is either paid — or paying.

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.

Carpenter in the United States

Updated Apr 2026

ABC Texas carpenter apprenticeship — $15–$19/hr

Paid first year with a participating contractor · Mar 2026

Year one in Texas

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

Paid training · listed first

ABC Texas carpenter apprenticeship

ABC Texas chapters · Houston / DFW / Austin / San Antonio

Tuition
$0–$3,500
First-year wage
$15–$19/hr

You pay · no paycheck in class

TSTC / public technical college carpentry / construction

TSTC and Texas community colleges · Multiple campuses

Tuition
$7,000–$14,000
First-year wage
$0 during school

All programs on this page

01

ABC Texas carpenter apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$0–$3,500

Employer-sponsored. Classroom fees vary by chapter.

First-year wage

$15–$19/hr

Paid from day one with a participating contractor.

Term

4 years

Steps to local carpenter journeyman rates

ABC Texas chapters·Houston / DFW / Austin / San Antonio

Source: ABC Texas chapter pages (2026-03)

02

Texas UBC carpenter apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

$0

Paid OJT. Related instruction typically covered.

First-year wage

$15–$20/hr

Usually 40–50% of local journeyman carpenter scale.

Term

4 years

Texas carpenter wages trail the coasts; overtime on commercial work moves annual pay

UBC Texas regional councils / local JATCs·Houston / DFW / Austin

Source: UBC Texas public apprenticeship notes (2026-04)

03

TSTC / public technical college carpentry / construction

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$7,000–$14,000

In-state technical-college range. Tools extra.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Unpaid classroom. Texas carpentry entry often $16–$21/hr after.

Term

9–18 months

Texas carpenter median below CA/WA

TSTC and Texas community colleges·Multiple campuses

Source: TSTC / THECB catalogs (2026-02)

Other carpenter states

Get carpenter numbers for another state

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