Trade Schools in Chattanooga, TN
3 schools · 59 programs · Avg earnings $33,043/yr
Chattanooga's strong manufacturing base, anchored by Volkswagen and numerous advanced manufacturing firms, creates demand for skilled trades. The city's growing logistics and transportation sector, supported by its strategic location and intermodal facilities, also requires a trained workforce. Programs like Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies directly address these industry needs, preparing graduates for roles maintaining critical machinery and infrastructure.
The healthcare sector in Chattanooga, with major employers like Erlanger Health System and CHI Memorial, is a significant economic driver. This robust demand for medical professionals makes programs in Registered Nursing and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions particularly relevant. These fields offer direct pathways into a stable and expanding local job market.
Schools
3
Programs
59
Avg Grad Earnings
$33,043/yr
Avg Score
57/100
Chattanooga Trade Schools Map
3 trade schools in Chattanooga, TN.
All Trade Schools in Chattanooga
3 trade schools ranked by number of programs offered.
| School | Programs | Avg Earnings | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College | 23 | $37,293/yr | 63 |
| Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 22 | $29,347/yr | 52 |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | 4 | $32,214/yr | 51 |
Top Programs in Chattanooga
Highest-earning trade programs by first-year graduate earnings in Chattanooga.
| Program | School | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Chattanooga State Community College | $64,950/yr | 82 |
| Heavy Equipment Technology | Chattanooga State Community College | $54,588/yr | 73 |
| Allied Health Professions | Chattanooga State Community College | $53,180/yr | 74 |
| Engineering Technology | Chattanooga State Community College | $52,531/yr | 64 |
| Allied Health Professions | Chattanooga State Community College | $50,848/yr | 67 |
| Practical Nursing | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | $50,437/yr | 72 |
| Ground Transportation | Chattanooga State Community College | $48,579/yr | 87 |
| Ground Transportation | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | $46,909/yr | 72 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | $46,592/yr | 56 |
| Practical Nursing | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | $45,301/yr | 66 |
Programs by Category
Skilled Trades (12)
Healthcare (26)
Engineering & Technology (4)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1)
Personal Services (5)
Business & Office (4)
Agriculture & Natural Resources (2)
Arts & Design (1)
Other Programs (4)
Skilled Trades (12 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Transportation | Chattanooga State Community College | 87 | $48,579/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Chattanooga State Community College | 77 | $41,936/yr |
| Heavy Equipment Technology | Chattanooga State Community College | 73 | $54,588/yr |
| Ground Transportation | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 72 | $46,909/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Chattanooga State Community College | 68 | $35,028/yr |
| Precision Metalworking | Chattanooga State Community College | 66 | $39,664/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Chattanooga State Community College | 63 | $40,038/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 56 | $35,147/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 50 | $38,043/yr |
| Heavy Equipment Technology | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 50 | $35,968/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Chattanooga State Community College | 49 | $24,731/yr |
| Precision Metalworking | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 48 | $30,105/yr |
Healthcare (26 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Chattanooga State Community College | 82 | $64,950/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Chattanooga State Community College | 75 | $36,350/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Chattanooga State Community College | 74 | $53,180/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | 72 | $50,437/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Chattanooga State Community College | 69 | $45,112/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Chattanooga State Community College | 67 | $50,848/yr |
| Health Administration | Chattanooga State Community College | 67 | $36,204/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 66 | $45,301/yr |
| Health Administration | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 60 | $28,511/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Chattanooga State Community College | 59 | $40,227/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Chattanooga State Community College | 58 | $31,590/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Chattanooga State Community College | 58 | $25,150/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 56 | $46,592/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 55 | $41,049/yr |
| Health Administration | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 55 | $22,506/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 53 | $37,084/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 52 | $25,988/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 50 | $22,869/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | 48 | $27,950/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 48 | $14,037/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 45 | $26,998/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 43 | $25,821/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | 42 | $29,984/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 40 | $19,134/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Chattanooga State Community College | 39 | $16,517/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 38 | $18,129/yr |
Engineering & Technology (4 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | Chattanooga State Community College | 73 | $41,400/yr |
| Engineering Technology | Chattanooga State Community College | 64 | $52,531/yr |
| IT Management | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 61 | $34,521/yr |
| Environmental Technology | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 46 | $32,364/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 61 | $30,539/yr |
Personal Services (5 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 59 | $21,827/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 58 | $21,014/yr |
| Cosmetology | Chattanooga State Community College | 46 | $18,593/yr |
| Cosmetology | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 42 | $15,003/yr |
| Cosmetology | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | 41 | $20,488/yr |
Business & Office (4 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | Chattanooga State Community College | 71 | $36,486/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Chattanooga State Community College | 70 | $32,603/yr |
| Business Administration | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 59 | $23,907/yr |
| Accounting | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 51 | $20,789/yr |
Agriculture & Natural Resources (2 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technology | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 48 | $32,340/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Chattanooga State Community College | 43 | $26,992/yr |
Arts & Design (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Chattanooga State Community College | 41 | $20,165/yr |
Other Programs (4 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 52 | $31,111/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Chattanooga State Community College | 45 | $30,368/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Chattanooga State Community College | 43 | $25,797/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 40 | $27,479/yr |
More Trade Schools in Tennessee
View all trade schools in Tennessee or browse all cities with trade schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trade schools are in Chattanooga?
There are 3 accredited trade and vocational schools in Chattanooga, TN, offering a total of 59 certificate and associate degree programs.
What are the best trade programs in Chattanooga?
The highest-earning programs in Chattanooga include Nursing, Heavy Equipment Technology, Allied Health Professions, with graduates earning $64,950 or more in their first year after graduation.
Are trade schools in Chattanooga worth it?
Trade school programs in Chattanooga average $33,043 in first-year graduate earnings, with many programs offering positive ROI within the first year. Most trade careers offer strong job security due to hands-on work requirements.
About This Data
This page analyzes 59 trade and vocational programs at 3 schools in Chattanooga, TN using earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–2034).
School locations shown on the map are based on official institutional addresses. Graduate earnings represent median first-year earnings for certificate and associate degree completers.
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034.
Last updated 2026.