Best Trade Schools in California

California has some of the highest-paid tradespeople in the nation, making it an attractive place to go to trade school. Highly skilled work with ongoing training can also be a fulfilling lifelong career. Many tradespeople love what they do.

Tradespeople like cosmetologists, medical assistants, and surgical assistants are in high demand. Some well-paid professionals like airline pilots, computer programmers, and animators also don’t need a college degree.

Trade schools offer the potential to start earning quickly and build savings after high school graduation. People choose to go to trade school in California to start a career with little-to-no debt. Trade schools can either be used as a stepping stone into other careers or as longterm professional training.

Many of the professionals we rely on in day-to-day life were trained at trade schools. Trade schools teach students specialized skills that translate directly to their professions. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are nearly 400 community colleges and trade schools in the state. Trade school programs vary widely in length. You can complete a five-week training program to become a truck driver or a 15-month training program to become a surgical assistant.

Jobs that fall under the trade category include:

California is an excellent place to work as a tradesperson. According to the BLS, San Francisco is the second top-paying metro area for electricians in the country. Medical assistants in California also have the third highest average salaries in the country among these professionals.

Trade jobs are also in high demand. The BLS projects hairdresser and cosmetologist jobs to grow 7% between 2023 and 2033. Medical assistant, surgical assistant, and electrician jobs are also expected to grow faster than the national average.

How much does trade school cost? Average trade institution costs in California vary by program and school. For example, at CBD College in Los Angeles, the surgical technician program costs a total of $25,790. The dental and medical assistant programs cost about $15,500, and the pharmacy technician program costs roughly $12,400.

The tuition and fees for the cosmetology program at The Paul Mitchell School in San Diego total about $24,100. The Center for Employment Training charges about $14,500 for its HVAC and green technology technician program.

In contrast, the University of California system charges state residents about $13,100 per year, plus additional fees, which can total upwards of $35,000 annually. Compared to the cost of a bachelor’s degree, trade school is relatively affordable.

Students can graduate from many trade school programs in just 12-20 months and start earning a salary sooner. Over time, a bachelor’s degree may have a higher return on investment (ROI), but that depends on an individual student’s career path, salary potential, and total debt. For many students, attending trade school provides an excellent ROI and a stable career.

Trade schools can be accredited. Different trades are governed by different accrediting bodies. Be sure to check the accreditation requirements for your career path. The main accrediting body is the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition, the California Department of Industrials Relations has a list of approved trade schools.

Some programs, like CDL training to become a truck driver, do not possess accreditation. However, students still need to attend state-approved programs to be eligible for the exam.

For example, the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants requires students to complete a program approved by the U.S. Department of Education or the Bureau for Private and Postsecondary Education to be eligible for certification. In many trades, students might not be able to sit for the licensing exam if the program they completed wasn’t accredited.

Apprenticeships and internships can be another path to learning a vocation. California offers apprenticeships in 40 trades. These include opportunities in HVAC, surveying, carpentry, and ironwork.

Generally, applicants must be 18 or older and able to perform the work of the trade. Some apprenticeship programs also require a high school diploma or GED certificate. There are also vocational high schools in California where students can learn a trade while earning a high school diploma.

Each program on the list will meet our criteria, being: