Trade Schools in Rhode Island
Two paths into the skilled trades in Rhode Island. Compare both before you commit.
Path 1 · Trade School
39 programs
at 11 Rhode Island schools · pay tuition, finish faster
Top-paying program
$73,631/yr
Nursing · New England Institute of Technology
Avg grad earnings
$38,199/yr
first year after graduation
Path 2 · Apprenticeship
16 trades
710 registered sponsors · get paid to learn
Top-paying trade
$70,160/yr
Electrician · median wage
Avg median wage
$64,850/yr
across all apprenticeable trades
Apprenticeship Trades in Rhode Island
Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship pathways available in Rhode Island, sorted by median wage. Click any trade to see Rhode Island-specific sponsors and live openings.
| Trade | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Power-Line Worker | $107,770 | 210 |
| Glazier | $83,120 | — |
| Electrician | $70,160 | 2,300 |
| Firefighter | $69,480 | 1,590 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $64,690 | 400 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | $64,630 | 1,790 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $63,870 | 1,020 |
| HVAC Technician | $63,580 | 1,320 |
| Carpenter | $60,510 | 2,870 |
| Machinist | $59,490 | 860 |
| Roofer | $58,510 | — |
| Welder | $57,000 | 2,350 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $56,950 | 410 |
| Bricklayer & Blockmason | $55,730 | 150 |
| Construction Painter | $51,420 | 780 |
| Automotive Mechanic | $50,690 | 2,390 |
See the full Rhode Island apprenticeship picture — sponsors + live openings →
Browse by City in Rhode Island
Narrow to your metro — each city page shows local trade schools, programs, and (where available) apprenticeship listings.
Trade School Programs in Rhode Island
Most common skilled trade programs at Rhode Island trade schools. Pick a trade to compare programs across Rhode Island.
Vehicle Repair Technology
$39,589/yr avg grad
Truck Driving & CDL
$51,761/yr avg grad
Electrical Installation
$43,145/yr avg grad
HVAC Technology
$42,532/yr avg grad
Plumbing
$40,744/yr avg grad
Electrical Repair Technology
$40,288/yr avg grad
Highest-paying trade program in Rhode Island: Truck Driving & CDL at New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island — $51,761/yr first-year earnings. See full state rankings →
Browse by Category
Skilled Trades (8)
Healthcare (16)
Engineering & Technology (3)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1)
Personal Services (5)
Business & Office (1)
Agriculture & Natural Resources (1)
Education (1)
Arts & Design (2)
Other Programs (1)
Skilled Trades (8 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck Driving & CDL | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island Pawtucket |
74 | $51,761/yr |
| Electrical Installation | MotoRing Technical Training Institute East Providence |
62 | $43,145/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | IYRS School of Technology & Trades Newport |
61 | $45,663/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | MotoRing Technical Training Institute East Providence |
55 | $34,078/yr |
| HVAC Technology | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island Pawtucket |
52 | $42,532/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
51 | $39,026/yr |
| Plumbing | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
50 | $40,744/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
46 | $40,288/yr |
Healthcare (16 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
82 | $66,988/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln Lincoln |
69 | $54,390/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
68 | $58,304/yr |
| Nursing | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
67 | $73,631/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
66 | $58,860/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
65 | $54,495/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
65 | $37,087/yr |
| Health Administration | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln Lincoln |
61 | $29,888/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
60 | $32,490/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
58 | $34,786/yr |
| Health Administration | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
56 | $33,559/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln Lincoln |
56 | $30,787/yr |
| Medical Assisting | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
55 | $40,562/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
53 | $56,860/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln Lincoln |
48 | $30,560/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln Lincoln |
39 | $20,737/yr |
Engineering & Technology (3 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programming | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
52 | $33,781/yr |
| Environmental Technology | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
49 | $53,135/yr |
| Industrial Production Technology | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
45 | $41,970/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
65 | $30,219/yr |
Personal Services (5 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence |
58 | $27,514/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence |
56 | $27,514/yr |
| Cosmetology | Empire Beauty School-Warwick Providence |
43 | $18,639/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Rhode Island Cranston |
42 | $16,464/yr |
| Cosmetology | Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Cranston Cranston |
42 | $16,082/yr |
Business & Office (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
72 | $36,468/yr |
Agriculture & Natural Resources (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technology | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
44 | $38,126/yr |
Education (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
34 | $25,867/yr |
Arts & Design (2 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich |
36 | $26,282/yr |
| Fine Arts | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
35 | $18,544/yr |
Other Programs (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick |
44 | $27,952/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.