Trade schools come in many types. Some focus on one field, like cosmetology or welding. Others, such as community and technical colleges, offer dozens of programs. This page covers the main types of trade schools, the programs they offer, how long they take and what graduates can earn.
Types of trade schools by field
Business trade schools
Business programs teach practical skills for office and management roles. They often lead to certificates or associate degrees in fields like accounting, office administration and paralegal studies.
Business programs may include:
- Accounting Trade School Programs
- Administrative Assistant Programs
- Bookkeeping Certification
- Business Administration Programs
- Business Data Analytics Degrees
- Digital Marketing Programs
- Entrepreneurship Programs
- Finance Schools
- Human Resources Programs
- Marketing Schools & Programs
- Organizational Leadership Degree
- Project Management Degrees
- Purchasing & Procurement Manager
- Supply Chain Management
- Supply Chain Management Degrees
Art and design schools
Art and design schools help creative students turn their skills into a career. Programs often include hands-on studio work and building a portfolio.
- Art Schools
- Digital Arts
- Film Schools
- Floral Design Classes
- Graphic Design Trade Schools
- Interior Design Programs
- Music
Health care and medical schools
Health care is one of the largest areas of trade school training. Programs prepare you to work with patients, in labs or in medical offices. Many lead to a state license or a certification exam.
Health care programs include:
- Compare Medical Transcription Schools
- Compare Pharmacy Tech Schools
- Dental Assistant Schools
- Dialysis Technician Training
- EKG Technician
- EMT Programs
- Healthcare Administration Degree
- Healthcare Management Programs
- Home Health Aide Training
- How to Become a Medical Office Manager (CPPM)
- Medical Assistant Programs
- Medical Laboratory Technician Programs
- Medical Records Technician Programs
- Nursing Programs
- Optical Technician Schools
- Optician Programs
- Patient Access Representative
- Phlebotomy Training
- Physician Assistant
- Public Health
- Radiology Tech Programs
- Respiratory Therapist Programs
- Sterile Processing Training
- Surgical Tech Programs
- Top Medical Billing & Coding Schools
People will always need medical care, so health care jobs tend to be steady. Many health careers are projected to grow faster than average. For example, BLS projects dental hygienist jobs to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035.
Technology and computer schools
Many trade schools and community colleges offer IT and computer programs. They teach you to set up, support and fix computers, networks and software.
Common programs include:
- Artificial Intelligence Degrees
- CAD Training Programs
- Computer Animation Programs
- Computer Networking Programs
- Computer Programming Trade Schools
- Computer Systems Technician Programs
- Cyber Security Programs
- Full Stack Developer
- Mobile App Development Programs
- Software Development Schools
- Software Engineering Programs
- The Ins and Outs of Being a Computer Network Engineer
- Video Game Design Schools
- Video Game Programming Courses
- Web Development Training
Diplomas, certificates and associate degree programs can prepare you for entry-level IT jobs in about 6 to 24 months. Industry certifications can help you move up over time.
Skilled trades and construction schools
Skilled trades schools teach hands-on work like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding and carpentry. Many students go on to an apprenticeship, where they earn pay while they keep learning.
Skilled trades programs include:
- Appliance Repair Training
- Are Skilled Trades Worth It?
- Building Maintenance Programs
- CNC Machinist Training
- Compare Electrician Trade Schools
- Compare HVAC Trade Schools
- Gunsmith Schools
- How to Become a Drone Pilot
- How to Become a Tower Technician
- How to Become a Wind Turbine Technician
- Locksmith Training
- Plumbing Schools
- Skilled Trades Bootcamp vs Online Program
- Solar Installer Training
- Welding Schools
- What Are the Skilled Trades?
Building and construction programs include:
- Compare Architecture Trade Schools
- Compare Carpentry Trade Schools
- Compare Construction Trade Schools
Construction covers everything from homes to roads and public buildings. With experience, skilled workers can move from apprentice to journey-level worker, and later to supervisor roles.
Manufacturing is another big employer of trade school graduates. Machinists, welders, CNC operators, quality inspectors and industrial maintenance technicians all train through trade programs.
Culinary arts and hospitality schools
Culinary and hospitality programs train future cooks, chefs and hotel or restaurant managers. Many mix kitchen training with business skills. Community colleges often offer culinary programs too, so you don’t have to attend a stand-alone culinary school.
Culinary and hospitality programs include:
Students often work in commercial kitchens, run campus restaurants or catering services, and complete internships. This gives them real experience before they graduate.
Types of trade schools by setting
Vocational schools
A vocational school focuses on hands-on training for a specific job, including the safety rules that job requires. Examples include plumbing schools, carpentry schools, cosmetology schools and massage therapy schools.
Technical schools
Technical schools train students for technical fields like electronics, computer programming and engineering technology. Programs usually mix classroom theory with lab work using modern equipment.
Community colleges
Public community and technical colleges offer many of the same programs as private trade schools, often for less. Average in-district tuition and fees at public two-year colleges are about $4,150 a year (2025-26, College Board). See How Much Are Trade Schools?
Want to know how these terms differ? See Trade School vs. Vocational School vs. Technical School.
How long trade school programs take
The length of a trade school program depends on the field and the credential.
Short-term programs
Short programs take a few weeks to several months. They train you for one entry-level job and help you start working quickly, often for less money. Since July 1, 2026, Workforce Pell Grants can help pay for some state-approved programs of 150 to 599 clock hours (8 to 15 weeks). See Pell Grants for Trade Schools.
Long-term programs
Longer programs usually take one to two years or more. They teach a wider range of skills and often lead to a diploma or an associate degree. Many skilled trades also include an apprenticeship that lasts four or five years.
What trade school graduates earn
Pay depends a lot on the trade you choose. Here are median pay figures and job outlook for some common trade school careers.
| Career | Median pay (May 2025) | Job outlook (2025-35) | Typical entry-level education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental hygienists | $98,100 | 8% | Associate degree |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $63,800 | 7% | High school diploma, plus an apprenticeship |
| Electricians | $63,190 | 9% | High school diploma, plus an apprenticeship or training |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $53,750 | 2% | High school diploma, plus technical training |
Plumbers install and repair water, gas and other piping systems in homes, businesses and factories. Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring and systems. Welders join metal parts in manufacturing, construction and repair work.
What about nurses? BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for registered nurses, but associate degree programs at community colleges can also lead to RN licensure. BLS shows a median pay of $97,550 for registered nurses (May 2025).
Some of the highest-paying trades
| Career | Median pay (May 2025) | Job outlook (2025-35) | Typical entry-level education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear technicians | $110,240 | 1% | Associate degree |
| Elevator and escalator installers and repairers | $109,910 | 6% | High school diploma, plus an apprenticeship |
| Radiation therapists | $105,310 | 3% | Associate degree |
| Power plant operators, distributors and dispatchers | $105,080 | -4% | High school diploma, plus long on-the-job training |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. The average growth rate for all jobs is about 3%. Pay varies by location and experience. Before you enroll, ask the school for its graduation, job placement and licensing exam pass rates. See Is Trade School Worth It?
What affects how much you earn
- Your trade. Some fields pay more because the skills are harder to find.
- Experience. Pay usually rises as you move from apprentice or entry level to experienced worker.
- Licenses and certifications. Many trades require them, and extra credentials can lead to higher pay.
- Location. Pay is often higher in areas with a higher cost of living or strong demand.
- Industry and employer. The same job can pay differently in a hospital, a factory or a small business.
How to choose the right type of trade school
- Pick a career first. Look at the work, pay and job outlook for jobs that interest you.
- Check accreditation. You need an accredited school that takes part in federal student aid to use grants and loans.
- Compare costs. Public community and technical colleges often cost less than private career schools.
- Ask about results. Ask for graduation, job placement and exam pass rates.
- Plan how to pay. File the FAFSA. The 2027-28 FAFSA opened October 1, 2026. See Financial Aid for Trade School.
Ready to apply? See Applying to Trade School and Trade School Requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of trade schools?
Trade schools are often grouped by field, such as health care, skilled trades and construction, technology, business, art and design, and culinary arts. They’re also grouped by setting, such as vocational schools, technical schools and community colleges.
What are the benefits of attending a trade school?
Trade schools offer focused, hands-on training, shorter programs and often lower costs than a four-year degree. Many also help with job placement.
How do I choose the right trade school?
Start with the career you want. Then compare accredited schools on cost, program length, and graduation and job placement rates. Visit the campus if you can.
Can I attend a trade school online?
Some programs are partly or fully online, such as IT, business and medical billing. Hands-on trades like welding, plumbing and nursing need in-person labs or clinical training.
What are the highest-paying trades?
Among the careers on this page, nuclear technicians ($110,240), elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($109,910), radiation therapists ($105,310) and power plant operators ($105,080) have the highest median pay (BLS, May 2025).
How long does a trade school program take?
Anywhere from a few weeks to two years or more, depending on the trade and the credential. Some skilled trades add a four- or five-year paid apprenticeship.
Last reviewed: October 2026