Construction and skilled-trade jobs in Texas: Construction, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, General Labor. Top cities: Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso. Apply directly to employers — no recruiters, no fees.

    TODO Careers — Texas

    Find Construction & Trade Jobs in Texas

    Explore openings for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and general labor across every major Texas metro. Apply directly to contractors — no fees, no recruiters, no delays.

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    The Texas Construction Job Market

    Texas leads the country in construction spending — well over $75 billion a year — fueled by relentless population growth, no state income tax, and a business climate that keeps attracting Fortune 500 headquarters. From the semiconductor fabs going up in Central Texas to the LNG terminals lining the Gulf Coast, contractors cannot hire skilled tradespeople fast enough. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and general laborers who can show up on time and do quality work are in short supply in every major Texas metro right now.

    The Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex alone has added more construction jobs in the last five years than most states have in their entire workforce, on the back of corporate relocations like Toyota, Charles Schwab, and JPMorgan Chase. Austin's tech and semiconductor boom — Samsung's $17 billion Taylor fab, Tesla's Gigafactory, and dozens of Apple and Google campuses — has created a permanent shortage of licensed electricians and mechanical trades. Houston keeps rebuilding and expanding petrochemical and LNG infrastructure, while San Antonio's medical center and military bases keep specialty contractors booked year-round.

    Unlike most states, Texas does not require a general contractor license — but the life-safety trades absolutely do. Plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, while electricians and HVAC/air-conditioning contractors are licensed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). That makes properly licensed tradespeople especially valuable, and TODO Careers puts you in front of Texas employers who need them — with zero recruiter fees or job-board commissions taken out of your paycheck.

    Browse by Trade

    What jobs are available in Texas?

    Construction

    General laborers, concrete crews, framers, ironworkers, and site supervisors for the massive residential and industrial projects going up across Texas.

    Electrical

    TDLR-licensed journeyman and master electricians for data centers, semiconductor fabs, solar farms, and the fast-growing DFW and Austin residential markets.

    Plumbing

    State-licensed plumbers, tradesman plumbers, and apprentices for new construction, remodels, and the year-round service work that Texas heat demands.

    HVAC

    Air-conditioning technicians and installers with EPA and TDLR licenses — the highest-demand trade in Texas thanks to triple-digit summers and long AC seasons.

    General Labor

    Helpers, cleanup crews, demolition workers, and material handlers hired daily on residential and commercial sites in every major Texas metro.

    Pay & Benefits

    How much do construction workers earn in Texas?

    Pay in Texas varies by trade, city, and license level — but skilled construction workers consistently earn well above the state median. Austin and Houston pay the highest rates for licensed electricians and plumbers, DFW leads on residential and commercial general contracting, and the Gulf Coast petrochemical corridor offers some of the strongest per-diem and overtime packages in the country.

    Electrician

    $52,000 – $88,000 / year

    TDLR-licensed journeymen and master electricians with commercial or fab experience earn the top of the range.

    Plumber

    $48,000 – $82,000 / year

    Tradesman plumbers move up to journeyman quickly; master plumbers on service or commercial work often clear $95K.

    HVAC Technician

    $50,000 – $85,000 / year

    Texas heat means year-round work; EPA and TDLR certifications plus a residential–light commercial mix pay best.

    Carpenter

    $42,000 – $68,000 / year

    Framers and finish carpenters in high demand across DFW, Austin, and Houston residential builds.

    General Laborer

    $34,000 – $52,000 / year

    Entry-level roles with overtime and prevailing-wage projects available on public and industrial jobs.

    Ranges are typical 2025 annual pay in Texas metros. Actual earnings depend on TDLR licensing, prevailing wage on public jobs, and per diem on out-of-town work.

    Popular Locations

    Where to find trade jobs in Texas

    Houston

    Largest metro in the state, driven by petrochemical, LNG, medical, and hurricane-rebuild demand — plumbers and welders never sit idle.

    Dallas–Fort Worth

    The country's fastest-growing metroplex for corporate relocations, data centers, and residential expansion into Frisco, McKinney, and Prosper.

    Austin

    Tech and semiconductor boom driving demand for electricians, mechanical trades, and residential builders in one of the tightest housing markets in Texas.

    San Antonio

    Steady federal, military, and medical-center construction plus fast suburban growth on the north side — reliable year-round trade work.

    El Paso

    Border-region logistics, warehousing, and residential growth create ongoing demand for framers, roofers, and general labor in West Texas.

    Why Choose Us

    The best way to find Texas jobs

    Apply directly to Texas contractors — no recruiters, no staffing-agency cuts
    Free for both workers and Texas contractors, forever
    Filter jobs by city, trade, license level, and prevailing-wage status
    Message employers inside the app — no cold calls, no chasing voicemails
    Show your TDLR license, EPA certification, and job history in one verified profile
    Get instant alerts when new Texas jobs match your trade and location

    Common Questions

    Working construction in Texas — your questions answered

    Do I need a state license to work construction in Texas?

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    Texas does not require a general contractor license, which is unusual in the U.S. However, individual trades that affect life safety do: electricians must hold a TDLR electrical license (apprentice, journeyman, or master), plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, and HVAC/air-conditioning contractors need a TDLR ACR license. Carpenters, framers, drywall, and general laborers do not need a state license to start.

    Which Texas cities have the most construction jobs?

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    Dallas–Fort Worth leads by sheer volume, followed by Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Austin has the tightest labor market for electricians and mechanical trades thanks to the semiconductor and tech buildout; Houston has the strongest demand for plumbers, welders, and industrial workers because of petrochemical and LNG projects; DFW dominates residential and commercial general contracting.

    Can I work Texas construction jobs with no experience?

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    Yes. Helper, laborer, and apprentice roles are widely available and require zero prior experience. Texas also has strong apprenticeship pipelines for electricians and plumbers — you earn while you learn and can be journeyman-licensed in about four years.

    How much do construction workers make in Texas?

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    Median annual pay for licensed trades in Texas runs roughly $55K–$70K. Journeyman electricians on commercial or fab projects regularly earn $80K+, and master plumbers on service routes often clear $95K. General laborers typically start around $18–$22 per hour, and prevailing-wage public projects pay considerably more.

    Does the Texas heat affect construction work?

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    It changes the schedule. Most crews start at sunrise and wrap by early afternoon during summer, especially in Houston and Dallas. Water and shade breaks are required on many job sites and OSHA heat rules apply. HVAC technicians actually benefit — Texas has one of the longest AC seasons in the country.

    Does TODO Careers charge Texas workers any fees?

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    No. The app is 100% free for workers — no subscriptions, no application charges, no commission on jobs you land. You negotiate pay directly with the Texas contractor.

    Ready to find your next construction job in Texas?

    Download TODO Careers for free and connect with Texas contractors hiring right now in Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso.

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