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Welding classes in McAllen, Texas

23 welding programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

6 schools offer these welding programs with classes in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did. One school runs 11 of these 23 programs, so the typical figures lean heavily on its prices and results.

Welders join and cut metal parts with hand-held or remotely controlled equipment. Most have a high school diploma plus technical training, and some employers ask for a certification for particular jobs.1

In McAllen, 9 of the 23 programs take students without a high school diploma and 14 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 23 programs here are pipe welding (9 programs), general welding (8 programs), structural welding (5 programs) and single welding process (1 program).

See the 23 programs

All 300 welding programs in Texas, including online programs

How much do welding classes cost in McAllen?

$3,278 to $10,107 is what most welding programs in McAllen cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 23 programs with a price. All of them: $821 to $19,900

In the typical program

Finished the program
96%
Working 6 months later
67%
Earned a year, estimated
about $32,700
Length
Not reported
None of the 23 programs report it

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in McAllen may also offer welding classes. How these figures are made

Are there free welding classes in McAllen?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 23 welding programs in McAllen approved for WIOA funding

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23 programs

  • General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Welder Specialist

    McAllen Careers Institute

    McAllen

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    McAllen Careers Institute, McAllenGeneral welding · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$32,700
    Price if you pay yourself$19,900

    22 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Welder Specialist at McAllen Careers Institute
    More details about Welder Specialist at McAllen Careers Institute
    Finished
    84%
    Working at 6 months
    65%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,171
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $2,125
    Students counted
    784
    Earned a year, estimated
    $32,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $19,900
    students trained with WIOA funding
    22
    Program website, Welder Specialist at McAllen Careers Institute

  • General weldingHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Combination Welding

    South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-McAllen

    McAllen

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-McAllen, McAllenGeneral welding · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$30,000
    Price if you pay yourself$13,250

    10 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Combination Welding at South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-McAllen
    More details about Combination Welding at South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-McAllen
    Finished
    80%
    Working at 6 months
    75%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,507
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    757
    Earned a year, estimated
    $30,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,250
    students trained with WIOA funding
    10
    Program website, Combination Welding at South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-McAllen

  • General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Welding

    Southern Careers Institute

    Pharr

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southern Careers Institute, PharrGeneral welding · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$28,900
    Price if you pay yourself$13,400

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Welding at Southern Careers Institute
    More details about Welding at Southern Careers Institute
    Finished
    80%
    Working at 6 months
    76%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,234
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $260
    Students counted
    510

    Listed 3 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $28,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,400
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Welding at Southern Careers Institute

  • Structural weldingIn personNo diploma needed

    Structural/Maintenance Welder

    Southern Industrial Careers Center

    La Feria

    No diploma needed

    Southern Industrial Careers Center, La FeriaStructural weldingIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$33,800
    Price if you pay yourself$3,255

    18 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Structural/Maintenance Welder at Southern Industrial Careers Center
    More details about Structural/Maintenance Welder at Southern Industrial Careers Center
    Finished
    96%
    Working at 6 months
    63%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,440
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,400
    Students counted
    229

    Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,255
    students trained with WIOA funding
    18
    Program website, Structural/Maintenance Welder at Southern Industrial Careers Center

  • Structural weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 101 Stick Welding Structural

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgStructural weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$27,400
    Price if you pay yourself$3,300

    14 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Program 101 Stick Welding Structural at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,847
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $550
    Students counted
    69
    Earned a year, estimated
    $27,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,300
    students trained with WIOA funding
    14

  • Pipe weldingIn personNo diploma needed

    Combination Welder Pipe

    Southern Industrial Careers Center

    La Feria

    No diploma needed

    Southern Industrial Careers Center, La FeriaPipe weldingIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$36,200
    Price if you pay yourself$3,255
    Program website, Combination Welder Pipe at Southern Industrial Careers Center
    More details about Combination Welder Pipe at Southern Industrial Careers Center
    Finished
    96%
    Working at 6 months
    38%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,043
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,750
    Students counted
    54

    Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $36,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,255
    Program website, Combination Welder Pipe at Southern Industrial Careers Center

  • General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    PROGRAM 111 Combination Welding

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgGeneral weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$48,200
    Price if you pay yourself$12,500
    More details about PROGRAM 111 Combination Welding at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    94%
    Working at 6 months
    63%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,049
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $100
    Students counted
    41
    Earned a year, estimated
    $48,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,500

  • Pipe weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 104 Heliarc Welding Pipe

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgPipe weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$54,200
    Price if you pay yourself$9,214

    8 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Program 104 Heliarc Welding Pipe at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    70%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,559
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $650
    Students counted
    34
    Earned a year, estimated
    $54,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,214
    students trained with WIOA funding
    8

  • Pipe weldingHybridNo diploma needed

    Stick and Pipe Welding

    McAllen Careers Institute

    McAllen

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    McAllen Careers Institute, McAllenPipe welding · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$21,100
    Price if you pay yourself$16,124

    9 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Stick and Pipe Welding at McAllen Careers Institute
    More details about Stick and Pipe Welding at McAllen Careers Institute
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    69%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,263
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $2,750
    Students counted
    22
    Earned a year, estimated
    $21,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,124
    students trained with WIOA funding
    9
    Program website, Stick and Pipe Welding at McAllen Careers Institute

  • Pipe weldingHybridNo diploma needed

    Pipefitting

    McAllen Careers Institute

    McAllen

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    McAllen Careers Institute, McAllenPipe welding · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$41,900
    Price if you pay yourself$9,090

    6 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Pipefitting at McAllen Careers Institute
    More details about Pipefitting at McAllen Careers Institute
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,470
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,545
    Students counted
    12
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,090
    students trained with WIOA funding
    6
    Program website, Pipefitting at McAllen Careers Institute

  • General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 108 Stainless Steel Welding Structual

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgGeneral weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$29,400
    Price if you pay yourself$7,687

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Program 108 Stainless Steel Welding Structual at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,340
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $550
    Students counted
    10
    Earned a year, estimated
    $29,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,687
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3

  • Structural weldingIn personNo diploma needed

    Plate Welding

    South Texas College

    McAllen

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    South Texas College, McAllenStructural welding · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$821
    Program website, Plate Welding at South Texas College
    More details about Plate Welding at South Texas College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $430
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $821
    Program website, Plate Welding at South Texas College

  • General weldingIn personNo diploma needed

    Welding

    South Texas College

    McAllen

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    South Texas College, McAllenGeneral welding · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$980
    Program website, Welding at South Texas College
    More details about Welding at South Texas College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $632
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $980
    Program website, Welding at South Texas College

  • Pipe weldingIn personNo diploma needed

    Pipe Welding

    South Texas College

    McAllen

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    South Texas College, McAllenPipe welding · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,381
    Program website, Pipe Welding at South Texas College
    More details about Pipe Welding at South Texas College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $620
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,381
    Program website, Pipe Welding at South Texas College

  • General weldingIn personNo diploma needed

    Welding Fundamentals

    Southern Industrial Careers Center

    La Feria

    No diploma needed

    Southern Industrial Careers Center, La FeriaGeneral weldingIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,572
    School website, Welding Fundamentals at Southern Industrial Careers Center
    More details about Welding Fundamentals at Southern Industrial Careers Center
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $495
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,572
    School website, Welding Fundamentals at Southern Industrial Careers Center

  • Pipe weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 102 Stick Welding Pipe

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgPipe weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,300
    More details about Program 102 Stick Welding Pipe at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $550
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,300

  • Pipe weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 107 Flux Core Welding Pipe

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgPipe weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,300
    More details about Program 107 Flux Core Welding Pipe at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $550
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,300

  • Structural weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 110 Flux Core Welding Structural

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgStructural weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,300
    More details about Program 110 Flux Core Welding Structural at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $550
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,300

  • Structural weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 105 Heliarc Plate

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgStructural weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,900
    More details about Program 105 Heliarc Plate at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $650
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,900

  • Single welding processIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 109 MIG Welding

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgSingle welding processIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,344
    More details about Program 109 MIG Welding at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $550
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,344

  • General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 106 Coper Nickle Welding

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgGeneral weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,600
    More details about Program 106 Coper Nickle Welding at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $650
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,600

  • Pipe weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Program 103 Stick Welding Downhill Pipeline With Saddle Test

    South Texas Welding School

    Edinburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas Welding School, EdinburgPipe weldingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$8,776
    More details about Program 103 Stick Welding Downhill Pipeline With Saddle Test at South Texas Welding School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $650
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,776

  • Pipe weldingHybridNo diploma needed

    Combo Pipe Welder

    McAllen Careers Institute

    McAllen

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    McAllen Careers Institute, McAllenPipe welding · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$11,000
    Program website, Combo Pipe Welder at McAllen Careers Institute
    More details about Combo Pipe Welder at McAllen Careers Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,160
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,000
    Program website, Combo Pipe Welder at McAllen Careers Institute

How to pay for welding classes in McAllen

WIOA funding can pay for welding classes in McAllen

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for welding classes

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for welding classes

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in McAllen

How welding classes compare with the rest of skilled trades across Texas: Trade school programs in Texas

Where the McAllen welding program numbers come from

Which McAllen welding programs are on this list?

These are the welding programs with classes in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Texas page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of McAllen welding programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about welding classes in McAllen

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List