It goes without saying that, at some point in life, you need to get a job to pay the bills and survive. For students just graduating high school, now more than ever, they’re probably thinking about their career path options. Top of mind in their future planning process is likely the big question, “Should I go to college or not?” And even if you’re not an 18-year-old soon-to-be grad, you may find yourself just grinding away at a dead-end job where all you think about is making a career move.
Depending on the type of job you wish to pursue, a trade school may be a better, far less expensive option over going to a four-year university. There are thousands of jobs that require a specific set of skills that, it turns out, can be learned quite quickly and affordably at educational establishments called trade or vocational schools.
So What Is a Trade or Vocational School?
A trade or vocational school is also known as a technical school. These post-secondary education institutions provide students with the technical skills or training needed to perform a very specific job. The classroom environments are set up for hands-on learning, often providing students with real-life examples and materials to use while doing coursework.
Because jobs learned in train school are so specific and technical, it is common for certain businesses to partner with trade schools to support the educational programming and, more importantly, so they get the first opportunity to hire graduating talent.
If you think trade school is in the near future for you or someone in your family, read on to find out what can be learned at trade school, how long the programs take, and what types of salaries you can expect.
Trade School Options, Schooling, and Salaries
Trade school programs are tailored to empower students with the essential skills and knowledge of the industry needed to start their careers. Here are just a handful of programs and jobs students can pursue:
| Trade | Time in school | Average annual salary* |
| Auto mechanic | 2 – 5 years | $47K – $70K |
| Cosmetology | 1,800 apprentice hours | $18K – $60K |
| Culinary arts | 2 years | $47K – $75K |
| Dental assistant/hygiene | 2 years | $55K – $98K |
| Electrician | 80,000 – 100,000 apprentice hours | $41K – $72K |
| Elevator installation/repair | 4 year apprenticeship | $60K – $90K |
| EMT/ Emergency services | 4 months | $30K – $45K |
| Graphic design | 18 to 24 months | $35k – $85K |
| Nuclear medicine tech | 18 to 24 months | $55K – $101K |
| Nurse assistant | 1 to 4 months | $30K – $40K |
| Radiation therapy | 1 to 4 years | $60k – $110K |
| Web design | 2 years | $50K – $70K |
| Welding | 7 months to 2 years | $30K – $100K |
*The salaries outlined here are based on salary estimates for practicing these trades in the United States.
The hands-on, formal training you experience at trade school will efficiently and effectively prepare you to start your career fast. As you can see from the above table, depending on the certificate you pursue, you could complete your program in a matter of months. Some programs require more time, but you’re still looking at half the time it would take to achieve a bachelor’s degree. And it’s exciting to see that many trades offer salaries capable of supporting your family’s livelihood with opportunities for advancement and salary growth.
So, if you’re ready to get started on a program that will set you on an income-earning career path, let’s find your trade school. According to IBIS World industry reports, as of 2023, there are more than 7,000 trade and technical schools in the United States. To help you narrow down your search, go here, where you can enter search terms to find a school near you that offers the program you seek to pursue. To find out about salary specifics and which trade-based jobs are in the most demand, visit the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.