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Trade family
Forge & Foundry
Hammer, fire and hand-fit parts made from scratch.
A day in the life
Hammering hot steel, fitting shoes to horses, shaping wood and metal by hand, and pouring castings. Fire, hammer, and hand-fit precision.
What it pays
Typical hourly ranges across Dallas–Fort Worth.
Apprentice$17–23/hr
Journeyman$25–38/hr
Master$40–75/hr
Per hour · DFW average
How long training takes
3–5 years, often self-directed or through a master; farriers and smiths build a client list as they learn.
Physical demands
Heat, hammering, heavy stock, and long standing; farriers work low and bent under horses.
Licensing in Texas
Farriers are unlicensed in Texas; tool & die and foundry work follow industry certifications rather than state licenses.
Masters in Forge & Foundry
See all mastersWe're onboarding masters in this family across DFW right now. Be the first to list.
List your tradeReady to try Forge & Foundry?
Take a short intro course, or get matched with a master and earn while you learn.