Trade Schools in Alabama
Two paths into the skilled trades in Alabama. Compare both before you commit.
Path 1 · Trade School
160 programs
at 40 Alabama schools · pay tuition, finish faster
Top-paying program
$75,326/yr
Fire Protection · Columbia Southern University
Avg grad earnings
$38,346/yr
first year after graduation
Path 2 · Apprenticeship
20 trades
664 registered sponsors · get paid to learn
Top-paying trade
$84,340/yr
Electrical Power-Line Worker · median wage
Avg median wage
$54,036/yr
across all apprenticeable trades
Apprenticeship Trades in Alabama
Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship pathways available in Alabama, sorted by median wage. Click any trade to see Alabama-specific sponsors and live openings.
| Trade | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator & Escalator Mechanic | $89,750 | 260 |
| Electrical Power-Line Worker | $84,340 | 3,120 |
| Boilermaker | $63,220 | 240 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $60,390 | 17,110 |
| Ironworker | $56,540 | 240 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | $53,840 | 7,880 |
| Machinist | $53,320 | 5,620 |
| Electrician | $52,420 | 9,740 |
| HVAC Technician | $49,290 | 7,330 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $49,060 | 5,650 |
| Bricklayer & Blockmason | $48,820 | 380 |
| Carpenter | $47,880 | 5,700 |
| Firefighter | $47,490 | 6,930 |
| Insulation Worker | $47,260 | 780 |
| Glazier | $47,220 | 440 |
| Welder | $47,170 | 12,570 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $46,100 | 1,630 |
| Automotive Mechanic | $45,710 | 9,920 |
| Construction Painter | $45,690 | 1,750 |
| Roofer | $45,220 | 1,010 |
See the full Alabama apprenticeship picture — sponsors + live openings →
Browse by City in Alabama
Narrow to your metro — each city page shows local trade schools, programs, and (where available) apprenticeship listings.
Trade School Programs in Alabama
Most common skilled trade programs at Alabama trade schools. Pick a trade to compare programs across Alabama.
Welding & Metalworking
$34,787/yr avg grad
HVAC Technology
$33,042/yr avg grad
Electrical Repair Technology
$52,380/yr avg grad
Truck Driving & CDL
$41,393/yr avg grad
Vehicle Repair Technology
$33,367/yr avg grad
Electrical Installation
$39,314/yr avg grad
Heavy Equipment Technology
$37,595/yr avg grad
Highest-paying trade program in Alabama: Electrical Repair Technology at Shelton State Community College — $64,821/yr first-year earnings. See full state rankings →
Browse by Category
Skilled Trades (21)
Healthcare (74)
Engineering & Technology (12)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (4)
Personal Services (12)
Business & Office (10)
Agriculture & Natural Resources (2)
Other Programs (25)
Skilled Trades (21 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck Driving & CDL | Bevill State Community College Jasper |
86 | $47,167/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | Bishop State Community College Mobile |
76 | $35,619/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa |
72 | $64,821/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Bevill State Community College Jasper |
69 | $45,423/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Bevill State Community College Jasper |
69 | $39,314/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
68 | $41,252/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
68 | $31,387/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Lawson State Community College Birmingham |
67 | $35,347/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan |
63 | $36,834/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Lawson State Community College Birmingham |
62 | $35,941/yr |
| Heavy Equipment Technology | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
61 | $37,595/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia |
59 | $32,714/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | George C Wallace State Community College-Selma Selma |
59 | $31,092/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Bishop State Community College Mobile |
56 | $30,688/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Reid State Technical College Evergreen |
53 | $39,940/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham |
49 | $36,485/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Fortis College-Dothan Dothan |
47 | $32,955/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Fortis College Mobile |
46 | $32,004/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Fortis College-Montgomery Montgomery |
46 | $32,004/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Reid State Technical College Evergreen |
46 | $24,349/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
43 | $31,763/yr |
Healthcare (74 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing | Chattahoochee Valley Community College Phenix City |
85 | $63,335/yr |
| Nursing | Bishop State Community College Mobile |
84 | $71,034/yr |
| Nursing | George C Wallace State Community College-Selma Selma |
84 | $67,158/yr |
| Nursing | Southern Union State Community College Wadley |
83 | $69,147/yr |
| Nursing | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
83 | $61,443/yr |
| Nursing | Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette |
82 | $67,900/yr |
| Nursing | Chattahoochee Valley Community College Phenix City |
82 | $67,491/yr |
| Nursing | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia |
82 | $65,605/yr |
| Nursing | Bevill State Community College Jasper |
82 | $63,532/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville |
82 | $53,855/yr |
| Nursing | Lawson State Community College Birmingham |
81 | $64,547/yr |
| Nursing | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham |
81 | $63,811/yr |
| Nursing | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan |
81 | $59,653/yr |
| Nursing | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville |
80 | $59,770/yr |
| Nursing | Central Alabama Community College Alexander City |
80 | $59,634/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette |
79 | $63,125/yr |
| Nursing | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa |
79 | $60,540/yr |
| Nursing | Snead State Community College Boaz |
78 | $58,694/yr |
| Nursing | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner |
78 | $56,995/yr |
| Nursing | Northwest Shoals Community College Muscle Shoals |
77 | $56,177/yr |
| Practical Nursing | George C Wallace State Community College-Selma Selma |
77 | $41,533/yr |
| Nursing | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville |
76 | $52,569/yr |
| Practical Nursing | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan |
76 | $40,106/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Reid State Technical College Evergreen |
75 | $44,026/yr |
| Nursing | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
72 | $73,342/yr |
| Nursing | University of West Alabama Livingston |
72 | $66,312/yr |
| Nursing | Fortis College Mobile |
72 | $64,979/yr |
| Nursing | Troy University Troy |
72 | $61,890/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
72 | $47,310/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham |
70 | $47,796/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Bevill State Community College Jasper |
69 | $43,416/yr |
| Health Administration | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach |
68 | $39,247/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
65 | $57,114/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia |
65 | $52,384/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham |
65 | $51,826/yr |
| Medical Assisting | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner |
65 | $37,672/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa |
64 | $48,862/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville |
64 | $48,422/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
63 | $34,083/yr |
| Medical Assisting | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville |
62 | $37,346/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound Mobile |
61 | $60,226/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
61 | $41,946/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan |
60 | $42,801/yr |
| Health Administration | Fortis College Mobile |
59 | $27,459/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville |
58 | $42,590/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Southern Union State Community College Wadley |
58 | $37,835/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner |
57 | $42,551/yr |
| Health Administration | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
57 | $27,871/yr |
| Health Administration | Ross Medical Education Center-Huntsville Huntsville |
57 | $24,758/yr |
| Medical Assisting | South University-Montgomery Montgomery |
56 | $39,761/yr |
| Health Administration | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
56 | $30,821/yr |
| Health Administration | Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham |
56 | $26,833/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Bishop State Community College Mobile |
55 | $30,528/yr |
| Medical Assisting | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan |
55 | $26,719/yr |
| Dental Assisting | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville |
53 | $34,837/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
53 | $34,039/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
53 | $30,106/yr |
| Health Administration | Bishop State Community College Mobile |
53 | $23,386/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
52 | $43,769/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Ross Medical Education Center-Huntsville Huntsville |
51 | $24,905/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Fortis College Mobile |
50 | $23,496/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Fortis College-Montgomery Montgomery |
50 | $23,496/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Fortis College-Dothan Dothan |
50 | $23,035/yr |
| Health Administration | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
50 | $21,686/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham |
49 | $25,556/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham |
48 | $40,819/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
47 | $27,695/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Northwest Shoals Community College Muscle Shoals |
47 | $22,798/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham |
46 | $31,554/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
46 | $24,037/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville |
46 | $17,055/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Ross Medical Education Center-Huntsville Huntsville |
42 | $23,566/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Fortis College Mobile |
42 | $22,821/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Fortis College-Montgomery Montgomery |
42 | $22,821/yr |
Engineering & Technology (12 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Control & Safety Technology | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach |
70 | $74,871/yr |
| IT Management | Strayer University-Alabama Birmingham |
68 | $61,810/yr |
| Industrial Production Technology | Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette |
67 | $55,570/yr |
| Industrial Production Technology | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner |
66 | $59,567/yr |
| Information Sciences | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner |
65 | $36,258/yr |
| Computer Networking | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
60 | $43,901/yr |
| Engineering Technology | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham |
56 | $38,981/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
56 | $37,302/yr |
| Environmental Technology | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
53 | $36,407/yr |
| Computer Networking | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
52 | $35,702/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
46 | $45,445/yr |
| Drafting & Design Technology | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
36 | $29,323/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (4 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach |
78 | $58,241/yr |
| Fire Protection | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach |
75 | $75,326/yr |
| Criminal Justice | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville |
65 | $35,238/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
51 | $26,952/yr |
Personal Services (12 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Service & Mortuary Science | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham |
57 | $49,566/yr |
| Cosmetology | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia |
47 | $20,912/yr |
| Cosmetology | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan |
46 | $19,828/yr |
| Cosmetology | Blue Cliff Career College Mobile |
44 | $20,014/yr |
| Cosmetology | Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology Jackson |
42 | $16,328/yr |
| Cosmetology | Brown Beauty Barber School Bessemer |
42 | $16,147/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Huntsville Madison |
42 | $15,976/yr |
| Cosmetology | The Salon Professional Academy-Huntsville Huntsville |
42 | $15,804/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham Hoover |
42 | $15,782/yr |
| Cosmetology | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
41 | $19,107/yr |
| Cosmetology | Bevill State Community College Jasper |
40 | $19,013/yr |
| Cosmetology | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile |
35 | $15,381/yr |
Business & Office (10 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach |
89 | $49,753/yr |
| Business Administration | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach |
78 | $49,820/yr |
| Business | Strayer University-Alabama Birmingham |
69 | $44,154/yr |
| Business Administration | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
60 | $30,536/yr |
| Accounting | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
57 | $31,620/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham |
54 | $25,648/yr |
| Business Operations Support | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan |
53 | $26,151/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Bevill State Community College Jasper |
53 | $25,182/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
52 | $22,360/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia |
48 | $20,252/yr |
Agriculture & Natural Resources (2 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technology | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham |
52 | $37,085/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Ross Medical Education Center-Huntsville Huntsville |
41 | $23,488/yr |
Other Programs (25 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach |
61 | $55,667/yr |
| Physiology | Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound Mobile |
55 | $50,024/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Troy University Troy |
45 | $37,838/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham |
44 | $28,176/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham |
43 | $39,952/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Chattahoochee Valley Community College Phenix City |
42 | $28,470/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Lawson State Community College Birmingham |
42 | $26,759/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan |
42 | $26,004/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Bevill State Community College Jasper |
42 | $25,063/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Southern Union State Community College Wadley |
41 | $26,174/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Central Alabama Community College Alexander City |
41 | $24,698/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner |
41 | $24,455/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville |
41 | $24,228/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia |
40 | $24,295/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa |
40 | $23,390/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette |
39 | $22,329/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Bishop State Community College Mobile |
38 | $22,764/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Snead State Community College Boaz |
38 | $22,559/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville |
38 | $21,919/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden |
38 | $18,926/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Marion Military Institute Marion |
37 | $25,501/yr |
| Legal Support Services | South University-Montgomery Montgomery |
36 | $31,126/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Enterprise State Community College Enterprise |
35 | $22,991/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | George C Wallace State Community College-Selma Selma |
35 | $18,355/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Northwest Shoals Community College Muscle Shoals |
33 | $20,414/yr |
Browse Other States
Sources & Methodology
Program data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (first-year graduate earnings from IRS tax data). Wage and growth projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024) and Employment Projections 2024–2034. Apprenticeship data: U.S. Department of Labor RAPIDS database and the ApprenticeshipUSA sponsor directory.
Programs on this page are grouped by field of study — Skilled Trades listed first, followed by health sciences, business, and other categories. Click any program for detailed earnings projections and AI-risk analysis by career path.
Data sources cited above. Last updated 2026.