Trade Schools in District of Columbia

Two paths into the skilled trades in District of Columbia. Compare both before you commit.
Path 1 · Trade School
14 programs
at 9 District of Columbia schools · pay tuition, finish faster
Top-paying program
$75,609/yr
Bioethics · University of the District of Columbia
Avg grad earnings
$43,982/yr
first year after graduation
Browse programs ↓
Path 2 · Apprenticeship
17 trades
145 registered sponsors · get paid to learn
Top-paying trade
$81,950/yr
Electrician · median wage
Avg median wage
$78,259/yr
across all apprenticeable trades
See District of Columbia apprenticeships →

Apprenticeship Trades in District of Columbia

Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship pathways available in District of Columbia, sorted by median wage. Click any trade to see District of Columbia-specific sponsors and live openings.

Trade Median Wage vs. National Employment
Elevator & Escalator Mechanic $125,030 +17%
Machinist $101,810 +81% 230
Electrical Power-Line Worker $96,240 +4% 200
Industrial Machinery Mechanic $85,380 +34% 190
HVAC Technician $83,390 +39% 370
Electrician $81,950 +31% 2,130
Plumber & Pipefitter $81,950 +30% 640
Firefighter $79,430 +33% 1,430
Sheet Metal Worker $76,450 +26% 150
Glazier $76,320 +38%
Automotive Mechanic $71,030 +43% 270
Carpenter $66,100 +11% 1,270
Diesel Mechanic $65,570 +8% 90
Bricklayer & Blockmason $64,100 +5% 330
Construction Painter $59,810 +23% 420
Welder $58,700 +15% 330
Roofer $57,150 +12% 140

See the full District of Columbia apprenticeship picture — sponsors + live openings →

Browse by City in District of Columbia

Narrow to your metro — each city page shows local trade schools, programs, and (where available) apprenticeship listings.

Browse by Category

Healthcare (4 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Bioethics University of the District of Columbia
Washington
77 $75,609/yr
Practical Nursing Saint Michael College of Allied Health
Washington
74 $74,782/yr
Health Administration Career Technical Institute
Washington
54 $20,308/yr
Clinical Laboratory Science George Washington University
Washington
46 $40,630/yr

Engineering & Technology (4 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
IT Management Strayer University-District of Columbia
Washington
68 $61,810/yr
IT Management Strayer University-Global Region
Washington
68 $61,810/yr
Information Sciences Career Technical Institute
Washington
55 $24,482/yr
IT Management Career Technical Institute
Washington
54 $24,935/yr

Personal Services (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Cosmetology Bennett Career Institute
Washington
44 $20,316/yr
Cosmetology The Salon Professional Academy-Washington DC
Washington
43 $19,048/yr

Business & Office (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Business Strayer University-District of Columbia
Washington
69 $44,154/yr
Business Strayer University-Global Region
Washington
69 $44,154/yr

Other Programs (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Political Science American University
Washington
56 $51,222/yr
Linguistics American University
Washington
48 $52,493/yr

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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.