Trade Schools in Knoxville, TN

6 schools · 29 programs · Avg earnings $34,798/yr

Knoxville's economy benefits significantly from its strong healthcare sector and a growing presence in advanced manufacturing and technology. Major employers like Covenant Health and the University of Tennessee Medical Center drive consistent demand for skilled professionals. This environment makes programs in Registered Nursing and Allied Health particularly relevant for local career seekers, aligning directly with the region's largest employers and critical workforce needs.

Beyond healthcare, Knoxville's ties to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and various engineering firms create opportunities in technical fields. Programs like Engineering Technology, General and Computer and Information Sciences are well-positioned to serve these evolving industries, providing essential skills for roles in research, development, and technical support within the greater Knoxville area.

Schools
6
Programs
29
Avg Grad Earnings
$34,798/yr
Avg Score
55/100

Knoxville Trade Schools Map

6 trade schools in Knoxville, TN.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville Pellissippi State Community College South College Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville Paul Mitchell the School-Knoxville Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc

All Trade Schools in Knoxville

6 trade schools ranked by number of programs offered.

School Programs Avg Earnings Avg Score
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 10 $33,645/yr 54
Pellissippi State Community College 7 $43,815/yr 62
South College 5 $34,501/yr 51
Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville 3 $26,575/yr 52
Paul Mitchell the School-Knoxville 1 $17,942/yr 43
Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc 1 $17,506/yr 43

Top Programs in Knoxville

Highest-earning trade programs by first-year graduate earnings in Knoxville.

Program School Earnings Score
Engineering Technology Pellissippi State Community College $77,072/yr 73
Nursing Pellissippi State Community College $55,217/yr 80
Heavy Equipment Technology Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville $50,524/yr 56
Engineering Technology Pellissippi State Community College $46,301/yr 60
Allied Health Professions South College $44,888/yr 52
Information Sciences Pellissippi State Community College $44,224/yr 74
Industrial Production Technology Pellissippi State Community College $42,672/yr 57
Medical Assisting South College $39,733/yr 55
Practical Nursing South College $39,238/yr 61
HVAC Technology Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville $39,230/yr 51

Apprenticeships in Knoxville

Another path · Earn while you learn
39 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Knoxville
Apprentices earn wages during training and graduate debt-free. See all Tennessee apprenticeships → for wages by trade.

Programs by Category

Skilled Trades (5) Healthcare (12) Engineering & Technology (4) Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1) Personal Services (3) Business & Office (2) Other Programs (2)

Skilled Trades (5 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Vehicle Repair Technology Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 57 $36,758/yr
Heavy Equipment Technology Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 56 $50,524/yr
Electrical Installation Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 55 $30,771/yr
Welding & Metalworking Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 53 $39,054/yr
HVAC Technology Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 51 $39,230/yr

Healthcare (12 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Nursing Pellissippi State Community College 80 $55,217/yr
Practical Nursing Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 63 $38,388/yr
Practical Nursing South College 61 $39,238/yr
Health Administration Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville 60 $28,495/yr
Health Administration Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 57 $25,309/yr
Medical Assisting South College 55 $39,733/yr
Allied Health Professions Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 53 $37,667/yr
Allied Health Professions South College 52 $44,888/yr
Medical Assisting Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville 52 $25,879/yr
Medical Assisting South College 50 $28,606/yr
Dental Assisting Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville 43 $25,352/yr
Clinical Laboratory Science South College 40 $30,446/yr

Engineering & Technology (4 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Information Sciences Pellissippi State Community College 74 $44,224/yr
Engineering Technology Pellissippi State Community College 73 $77,072/yr
Engineering Technology Pellissippi State Community College 60 $46,301/yr
Industrial Production Technology Pellissippi State Community College 57 $42,672/yr

Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Criminal Justice South College 49 $24,095/yr

Personal Services (3 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Cosmetology Paul Mitchell the School-Knoxville 43 $17,942/yr
Cosmetology Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc 43 $17,506/yr
Cosmetology Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 43 $17,458/yr

Business & Office (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Business Administration Pellissippi State Community College 69 $32,529/yr
Business Operations Support Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 51 $21,295/yr

Other Programs (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Liberal Arts & Humanities Pellissippi State Community College 44 $26,757/yr
Communications Technology Pellissippi State Community College 38 $25,754/yr

More Trade Schools in Tennessee

Frequently Asked Questions

How many trade schools are in Knoxville?
There are 6 accredited trade and vocational schools in Knoxville, TN, offering a total of 29 certificate and associate degree programs.
What are the best trade programs in Knoxville?
The highest-earning programs in Knoxville include Engineering Technology, Nursing, Heavy Equipment Technology, with graduates earning $77,072 or more in their first year after graduation.
Are trade schools in Knoxville worth it?
Trade school programs in Knoxville average $34,798 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 29 trade and vocational programs at 6 schools in Knoxville, 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.