Earning a college degree that leads to a white-collar job isn’t the only way to prepare for a lucrative, fulfilling career. The U.S. is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled laborers, particularly in the manufacturing and construction sectors, making this an ideal time for students to pursue a trade school education.
Trade schools, also known as vocational schools or career colleges, focus on teaching students the specific knowledge they need for highly skilled jobs. Meanwhile, traditional college degrees emphasize developing a broader range of transferable skills while also preparing students for a particular career.
There are multiple avenues available to students who want to learn a trade, which we’ll explore in this article. We also provided answers to frequently asked questions about trade education and reviewed some of the highest-paying trade career options.
How to Learn a Trade
Post-secondary vocational training
Individuals who pursue a trade education most often do so through a post-secondary vocational program offered by trade schools, career colleges, and community and technical colleges. Depending on the field and program, students receive a certificate, diploma, or associate degree upon successful completion of the program.
Post-secondary vocational programs are designed for students who have a high school diploma or a GED and are seeking focused preparation for a specific job or industry. While these programs may be offered during daytime hours, many also have evening or weekend classes to make them more accessible for working adults.
Courses in these programs help students gain the foundational and advanced knowledge they need to fulfill responsibilities for a particular job. They often include a significant amount of hands-on learning, reading assignments, lectures, and discussions.
Some trade schools offer a comprehensive roster of different vocational training programs, while others focus on a specific industry, such as cosmetology or culinary schools.
High school career and technical education (CTE) programs
High school students can jump-start their vocational training with courses taken as part of their high school curriculum. Many high schools offer CTE programs independently or through partnerships with local trade schools or career colleges. While students may need additional vocational training after completing their high school program to fully qualify for jobs, enrolling in a CTE program allows students to explore different career paths before committing to a post-secondary vocational program. In a dual enrollment program, they can also apply the credits they earn for high school graduation toward their post-secondary vocational training program.
Tech prep education
This is another option for students who want to begin their vocational training while finishing high school. These programs are offered through an arrangement between a high school and a post-secondary vocational training school or community college. Students usually begin the program while they are in high school and complete it after one to two years of post-secondary study. As the name implies, tech prep education programs are mainly available for technology-focused careers. Students who complete these programs receive a certificate or associate degree.
Apprenticeship programs
Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training, with individuals working under a professional’s supervision in a workplace setting while being paid for their work. Apprenticeships exist in a variety of industries, including many highly skilled, hands-on professions.
The terms of apprenticeship programs, including qualifications, length, salary, and what companies offer them, vary widely. Depending on the program, apprentices may also be required to participate in classroom instruction as well as on-the-job training. The U.S. Department of Labor maintains an apprenticeship database to help connect individuals with potential apprenticeship opportunities.
Workplace training
Many trade careers don’t require formal education in a classroom setting. Instead, individuals learn the necessary skills by doing them in a workplace context, often under the supervision of a more experienced worker. Depending on the employer, individuals may participate in a formal workplace training program or shadow a senior employee. Regardless of an individual’s educational background, most careers involve some kind of workplace training, which can help employees develop job-specific skills as well as transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and leadership.
Military training programs
The U.S. Armed Forces offers access to a variety of vocational training programs that help enlisted service members prepare for civilian careers or advancement in the military.
Military training programs include the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP), which helps service members find apprenticeships that align with their current military duties and combines on-the-job training with technical instruction, and the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), which provides training in fields of study directly related to Air Force specialties. CCAF programs are offered to enlisted Air Force members free of charge, and they award an associate degree upon completion.
Another option is the Credentialing Opportunities On-Line program (COOL) connects Army service members with resources, including certification and licensing requirements, to help them transition to civilian jobs.
Individual courses
Students don’t need to enroll in a full vocational training program to develop relevant job skills. Individual or standalone courses offer students the opportunity to gain new expertise or update their current knowledge to stay relevant in their field. Individual courses are widely available through two- and four-year colleges, trade schools, professional organizations, and online learning platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn.
Top Trade Careers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics & Installers
Median annual salary: $57,300
Projected job growth (through 2033): 9%
Average number of new jobs per year: 42,500
Minimum education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
These individuals work on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings to ensure that heating and air conditioning systems function properly. Some HVAC technicians specialize in one or more aspects of HVACR, such as radiant heating systems, testing, and balancing, or commercial refrigeration in establishments such as grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants. In addition, some technicians focus on installing HVACR systems while others primarily repair and maintain them.
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Median annual salary: $59,730
Projected job growth (through 2033): 3%
Average number of new jobs per year: 54,000
Minimum education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care to ill, injured, or convalescing patients or to persons with disabilities. Duties include monitoring patients’ health by checking their blood pressure, body temperature, and other vital signs; changing bandages and helping with bathing and dressing; documenting patient care and maintaining health records. The responsibilities for both LPNs and LVNs are similar, with titles depending on the state in which they work.
Massage therapists
Median annual salary: $55,310
Projected job growth (through 2033): 18%
Average number of new jobs per year: 22,800
Minimum education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Massage therapists provide treatment to clients to relieve pain and health injuries, alleviate stress, and aid in general wellness by applying pressure to manipulate the body’s soft tissues and joints. They may specialize in different massage modalities or specialties, such as Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, and sports massage. The type of massage given typically depends on the client’s needs and physical condition. Different populations, such as athletes or pregnant women, require different techniques for their massages.
Medical records specialists
Median annual salary: $48,780
Projected job growth (through 2033): 9%
Average number of new jobs per year: 15,000
Minimum education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Medical records specialists have a variety of data entry and recordkeeping tasks. They may gather patients’ medical histories, symptoms, test results, treatments, and other health information and enter the details into electronic health records (EHR) systems. Some workers categorize medical information for purposes such as insurance reimbursement and providing data to clinicians. They also may classify and enter patients’ medical information into the healthcare industry’s numerical coding system.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
Median annual salary: $47,770
Projected job growth (through 2033): 3%
Average number of new jobs per year: 67,800
Minimum education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Also called service technicians or service techs, these professionals inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. Their responsibilities include identifying problems using computerized diagnostic equipment; testing parts and systems to ensure that they work properly; performing basic care and maintenance, including changing oil, checking fluid levels, and rotating tires, and explaining automotive problems and repairs to clients. Technicians may specialize in areas like brakes, drivability, transmission, and air-conditioning systems.
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians
Median annual salary: $75,400
Projected job growth (through 2033): 5%
Average number of new jobs per year: 13,400
Minimum education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians install, test, adjust, and repair equipment and systems in aircraft. To keep aircraft operating safely and reliably, aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians perform scheduled maintenance, make repairs, and complete inspections. They follow detailed regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration that dictate maintenance schedules for different operations. Some mechanics and technicians work on many different types of aircraft, while others specialize in one section, such as the engine or hydraulic system, of a particular type of aircraft.
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Median annual salary: $44,780
Projected job growth (through 2033): 6%
Average number of new jobs per year: 19,200
Minimum education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and transport patients to medical facilities. Their duties include responding to calls for medical assistance, assessing people’s condition and determining what treatment, if any, is needed, and providing basic treatment, such as first aid or life support care, to sick or injured patients. In addition to transporting patients from the scene of an emergency, EMTs and paramedics transfer patients from one medical facility to another.
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
Median annual salary: $72,800
Projected job growth (through 2033): 3%
Average number of new jobs per year: 9,500
Minimum education required: Associate degree
These professionals help electrical and electronics engineers plan and develop communications equipment, computers, medical monitoring devices, or other equipment powered by electricity or electric current. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to test, adjust, and repair equipment. They are also involved in assembling equipment for automation.
Medical equipment repairers
Median annual salary: $60,670
Projected job growth (through 2033): 18%
Average number of new jobs per year: 7,300
Minimum education required: Associate degree
Also known as biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs), these individuals install, maintain, and repair patient care equipment. They may work on patient monitors, defibrillators, ventilators, anesthesia machines, and other life-supporting equipment, as well as medical imaging equipment (x-rays, CAT scanners, and ultrasound equipment), voice-controlled operating tables, and electric wheelchairs. Some repairers focus on medical equipment used by dentists and eye doctors.
Dental hygienists
Median annual salary: $87,530
Projected job growth (through 2033): 9%
Average number of new jobs per year: 16,400
Minimum education required: Associate degree
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. They also educate patients about oral health by talking to patients about ways to keep their teeth and gums healthy. The specific tasks hygienists perform, and the extent to which they must be supervised by a dentist, vary by state and by the setting in which the dental hygienist works.
Trade Education Frequently Asked Questions
What are the pros and cons of learning a trade?
Like any form of post-secondary education, there are advantages and disadvantages to pursuing a trade school education.
One key pro of learning a trade is that many skilled jobs have a strong employment outlook, including medical records specialists, medical equipment repairers, and HVACR repairers and installers. A trade program is the optimal way to prepare for these careers, which don’t require a traditional degree.
Because of their narrow focus, trade school programs also usually take less time to complete than traditional degree programs. Most trade school programs take two years to finish, although some can be completed in as little as six months. Trade programs also typically have fewer barriers to entry than traditional colleges, including few or no application requirements. Students usually must submit academic records and proof of high school graduation or a GED as part of their enrollment process, but may not need letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, or essays.
Cons of learning a trade include a narrow focus and less eligibility for financial aid. Because the purpose of a trade program is to train students for a specific job, students don’t develop many transferable skills. Students who want to switch careers after learning a trade may not have the training or qualifications for other jobs and might have to return to school for further education.
Also, not all trade schools and programs qualify for financial aid from the federal government. Eligibility is based on the types of programs an institution offers and the institution’s status. Students enrolling in a trade school should carefully research what types of financial aid students are eligible for so they can plan accordingly to pay for their program.
How long does it take to learn a trade?
The duration of a trade education program varies based on the type of credentials a student earns and the program’s curriculum. However, the typical range for completing a program is six months to two years. The minimum time to complete an associate degree is usually two years of full-time study, while certificate and diploma programs usually take less time.
A student’s enrollment status will impact how long it takes them to complete their program, with full-time students finishing faster than those who enroll part-time. Meanwhile, some schools may offer accelerated programs that condense a program’s coursework into a shortened time frame.
How much does trade school cost?
The cost of a trade school program varies based on the type of institution and the length of the program, among other factors. Some schools offer resources for evaluating which programs will yield the greatest return on investment, which will help students make the most informed decision possible.
Trade schools are typically considered two-year schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average annual tuition and fees at these types of institutions during the 2022-23 academic year was $4,027 at public colleges, $19,517 at private non-profit institutions, and $16,301 at private for-profit schools.
It should be noted that most public schools charge higher tuition rates for out-of-state students compared with in-state students. Non-resident students should consult with a financial aid counselor to learn more about tuition rates for students who have a permanent out-of-state address.
What type of institutions provide trade/vocational education?
Students have a variety of options for where they can pursue a trade education.
Many public and private two-year community colleges, as well as some four-year colleges, offer vocational education programs. These programs usually lead to an associate degree or certificate.
Another option is career and technical schools, many of which operate on a for-profit basis. Many well-known trade schools, such as American Career College, University of Phoenix, and Lincoln College of Technology, are for-profit institutions. While for-profit schools can offer valuable educational and career opportunities, their primary function is to earn revenue for shareholders and executives, which can lead to deceitful business practices and limited investment in students and educational resources.
Students who are considering attending a for-profit trade school should carefully research the school’s graduation and employment rates and verify the school’s accreditation status to ensure they are receiving a quality education that meets industry standards.