Trade Schools in South Carolina
Two paths into the skilled trades in South Carolina. Compare both before you commit.
Path 1 · Trade School
192 programs
at 42 South Carolina schools · pay tuition, finish faster
Top-paying program
$77,150/yr
Electromechanical Technology · Greenville Technical College
Avg grad earnings
$37,241/yr
first year after graduation
Path 2 · Apprenticeship
20 trades
1,114 registered sponsors · get paid to learn
Top-paying trade
$75,010/yr
Electrical Power-Line Worker · median wage
Avg median wage
$55,755/yr
across all apprenticeable trades
Apprenticeship Trades in South Carolina
Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship pathways available in South Carolina, sorted by median wage. Click any trade to see South Carolina-specific sponsors and live openings.
| Trade | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Boilermaker | $124,400 | — |
| Electrical Power-Line Worker | $75,010 | 2,290 |
| Elevator & Escalator Mechanic | $71,350 | 330 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $61,260 | 9,520 |
| Electrician | $58,260 | 7,830 |
| HVAC Technician | $55,260 | 6,370 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | $54,840 | 5,480 |
| Machinist | $53,040 | 4,530 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $52,430 | 3,260 |
| Welder | $49,120 | 7,600 |
| Carpenter | $48,910 | 7,070 |
| Glazier | $47,820 | 560 |
| Ironworker | $47,050 | 90 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $46,080 | 1,460 |
| Firefighter | $45,960 | 7,570 |
| Automotive Mechanic | $45,950 | 13,950 |
| Insulation Worker | $45,880 | 420 |
| Roofer | $45,860 | 1,060 |
| Bricklayer & Blockmason | $43,680 | 450 |
| Construction Painter | $42,950 | 2,060 |
See the full South Carolina apprenticeship picture — sponsors + live openings →
Browse by City in South Carolina
Narrow to your metro — each city page shows local trade schools, programs, and (where available) apprenticeship listings.
Trade School Programs in South Carolina
Most common skilled trade programs at South Carolina trade schools. Pick a trade to compare programs across South Carolina.
Welding & Metalworking
$37,854/yr avg grad
HVAC Technology
$43,468/yr avg grad
Electrical Repair Technology
$54,958/yr avg grad
Truck Driving & CDL
$46,909/yr avg grad
Vehicle Repair Technology
$36,577/yr avg grad
Heavy Equipment Technology
$51,920/yr avg grad
Electrical Installation
$32,356/yr avg grad
Highest-paying trade program in South Carolina: Electrical Repair Technology at York Technical College — $58,025/yr first-year earnings. See full state rankings →
Browse by Category
Skilled Trades (22)
Healthcare (72)
Engineering & Technology (15)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (8)
Personal Services (20)
Business & Office (22)
Agriculture & Natural Resources (4)
Arts & Design (1)
Family & Consumer Sciences (5)
Other Programs (23)
Skilled Trades (22 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Repair Technology | York Technical College Rock Hill |
72 | $58,025/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | Miller-Motte College-Charleston Charleston |
72 | $46,909/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
72 | $46,909/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
72 | $40,140/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | York Technical College Rock Hill |
71 | $50,309/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
71 | $47,556/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
69 | $46,803/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
68 | $51,891/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
68 | $50,802/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
66 | $40,480/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
66 | $32,356/yr |
| Heavy Equipment Technology | York Technical College Rock Hill |
64 | $51,920/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
63 | $38,952/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
63 | $38,147/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
63 | $34,928/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
62 | $34,761/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence |
61 | $34,948/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
61 | $30,639/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
60 | $33,002/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter |
57 | $32,196/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Arclabs Piedmont |
51 | $34,843/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Fortis College-Columbia Columbia |
48 | $35,785/yr |
Healthcare (72 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
85 | $73,667/yr |
| Nursing | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg |
84 | $72,237/yr |
| Nursing | Aiken Technical College Graniteville |
83 | $72,146/yr |
| Nursing | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
83 | $70,571/yr |
| Nursing | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
83 | $70,419/yr |
| Nursing | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
83 | $69,883/yr |
| Nursing | Trident Technical College Charleston |
83 | $67,607/yr |
| Nursing | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
83 | $66,034/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
83 | $49,100/yr |
| Nursing | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
82 | $72,879/yr |
| Nursing | York Technical College Rock Hill |
82 | $68,550/yr |
| Nursing | Technical College of the Lowcountry Beaufort |
82 | $66,628/yr |
| Practical Nursing | York Technical College Rock Hill |
82 | $54,238/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg |
82 | $51,754/yr |
| Nursing | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter |
81 | $68,914/yr |
| Nursing | Northeastern Technical College Cheraw |
81 | $68,001/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
80 | $46,823/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Northeastern Technical College Cheraw |
78 | $47,544/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
77 | $42,734/yr |
| Nursing | University of South Carolina-Lancaster Lancaster |
76 | $65,139/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
76 | $40,724/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
72 | $47,834/yr |
| Nursing | Fortis College-Columbia Columbia |
71 | $69,200/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
71 | $48,434/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
71 | $48,292/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Aiken Technical College Graniteville |
69 | $62,216/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
69 | $59,412/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
69 | $43,389/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
69 | $42,533/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
67 | $59,685/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg |
67 | $55,857/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
67 | $43,709/yr |
| Health Administration | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
67 | $34,794/yr |
| Health Administration | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter |
67 | $30,472/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
66 | $56,771/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
66 | $52,297/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
66 | $51,730/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
66 | $50,683/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
66 | $43,962/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
65 | $50,643/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
65 | $32,200/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
65 | $31,912/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Technical College of the Lowcountry Beaufort |
64 | $51,808/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Aiken Technical College Graniteville |
64 | $27,979/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
63 | $34,637/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Technical College of the Lowcountry Beaufort |
63 | $31,348/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | York Technical College Rock Hill |
62 | $47,111/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | York Technical College Rock Hill |
62 | $36,644/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
62 | $28,238/yr |
| Medical Assisting | York Technical College Rock Hill |
60 | $27,977/yr |
| Health Administration | Fortis College-Columbia Columbia |
58 | $29,157/yr |
| Medical Assisting | South University-Columbia Columbia |
56 | $39,761/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter |
56 | $26,294/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
55 | $30,194/yr |
| Health Administration | Southeastern College-Charleston North Charleston |
55 | $29,499/yr |
| Health Administration | Miller-Motte College-Charleston Charleston |
55 | $22,506/yr |
| Health Administration | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
55 | $22,506/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
54 | $28,964/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Miller-Motte College-Charleston Charleston |
53 | $37,084/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Miller-Motte College-Charleston Charleston |
52 | $25,988/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
52 | $25,988/yr |
| Dental Assisting | York Technical College Rock Hill |
51 | $25,404/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Fortis College-Columbia Columbia |
50 | $27,198/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Miller-Motte College-Charleston Charleston |
50 | $22,869/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
50 | $22,869/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Southeastern College-Charleston North Charleston |
48 | $28,689/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
47 | $23,661/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Southeastern College-Columbia Columbia |
45 | $24,383/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Southeastern College-Charleston North Charleston |
39 | $28,890/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Fortis College-Columbia Columbia |
39 | $24,564/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
38 | $18,129/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Southeastern College-Columbia Columbia |
36 | $25,459/yr |
Engineering & Technology (15 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electromechanical Technology | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
72 | $77,150/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg |
68 | $67,406/yr |
| IT Management | Strayer University-South Carolina Greenville |
68 | $61,810/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
65 | $70,688/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
64 | $69,797/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
64 | $65,388/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
63 | $58,406/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
61 | $53,518/yr |
| Data Processing | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
55 | $40,012/yr |
| Data Processing | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
54 | $38,825/yr |
| Data Processing | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
53 | $39,062/yr |
| Data Processing | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
53 | $34,725/yr |
| Data Processing | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
52 | $39,702/yr |
| Data Processing | York Technical College Rock Hill |
43 | $25,451/yr |
| Data Processing | York Technical College Rock Hill |
41 | $25,617/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (8 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice | York Technical College Rock Hill |
73 | $44,401/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
70 | $35,726/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
66 | $32,721/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
66 | $30,840/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
64 | $33,307/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Miller-Motte College-Charleston Charleston |
61 | $30,539/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
61 | $30,539/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
55 | $20,266/yr |
Personal Services (20 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
65 | $24,466/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
61 | $26,268/yr |
| Funeral Service & Mortuary Science | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
52 | $35,693/yr |
| Cosmetology | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
46 | $15,778/yr |
| Cosmetology | Southeastern Esthetics Institute Elgin |
44 | $21,547/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia West Columbia |
43 | $19,583/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Charleston North Charleston |
43 | $19,583/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Greenville Greenville |
43 | $19,583/yr |
| Cosmetology | Academy of Hair Technology Greenville |
43 | $19,459/yr |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia Columbia |
43 | $18,956/yr |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg Spartanburg |
43 | $18,956/yr |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia Columbia |
43 | $18,956/yr |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek Goose Creek |
43 | $18,956/yr |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill Rock Hill |
43 | $18,693/yr |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville Greenville |
43 | $18,693/yr |
| Cosmetology | Charleston Cosmetology Institute Charleston |
43 | $18,084/yr |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-North Augusta North Augusta |
42 | $16,226/yr |
| Cosmetology | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence Florence |
42 | $16,226/yr |
| Cosmetology | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
42 | $15,003/yr |
| Cosmetology | LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc Camden |
41 | $12,478/yr |
Business & Office (22 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
75 | $44,362/yr |
| Business Administration | York Technical College Rock Hill |
74 | $43,096/yr |
| Business Administration | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
73 | $38,336/yr |
| Business | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
71 | $36,679/yr |
| Business Administration | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
70 | $31,245/yr |
| Business | Strayer University-South Carolina Greenville |
69 | $44,154/yr |
| Accounting | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
69 | $41,233/yr |
| Business | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
69 | $33,486/yr |
| Entrepreneurship | York Technical College Rock Hill |
69 | $31,868/yr |
| Accounting | York Technical College Rock Hill |
67 | $33,177/yr |
| Business Administration | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
67 | $31,087/yr |
| Accounting | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
66 | $41,619/yr |
| Business | York Technical College Rock Hill |
66 | $33,870/yr |
| Accounting | York Technical College Rock Hill |
63 | $36,520/yr |
| Sales & Marketing | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
63 | $28,150/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
61 | $35,672/yr |
| Business Administration | Miller-Motte College-Charleston Charleston |
59 | $23,907/yr |
| Business Administration | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
59 | $23,907/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
57 | $28,319/yr |
| Sales & Marketing | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
57 | $27,524/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
55 | $27,024/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
54 | $25,548/yr |
Agriculture & Natural Resources (4 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horticulture | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
59 | $29,260/yr |
| Forestry | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
52 | $36,135/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
52 | $33,738/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
47 | $24,600/yr |
Arts & Design (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
41 | $22,024/yr |
Family & Consumer Sciences (5 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development & Family Studies | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
61 | $24,352/yr |
| Human Development & Family Studies | York Technical College Rock Hill |
56 | $27,011/yr |
| Human Development & Family Studies | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
55 | $25,772/yr |
| Human Development & Family Studies | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
54 | $25,838/yr |
| Human Development & Family Studies | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
54 | $25,285/yr |
Other Programs (23 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Services | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
50 | $39,026/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
49 | $37,615/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Midlands Technical College West Columbia |
46 | $29,688/yr |
| Audio & Video Technology | York Technical College Rock Hill |
45 | $28,113/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg |
44 | $28,222/yr |
| Human Services | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
44 | $27,781/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Greenville Technical College Greenville |
44 | $27,684/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway |
44 | $26,724/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | York Technical College Rock Hill |
43 | $27,088/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood |
42 | $25,532/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | York Technical College Rock Hill |
42 | $24,084/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Technical College of the Lowcountry Beaufort |
40 | $28,441/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Miller-Motte College-Charleston Charleston |
40 | $27,479/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Miller-Motte College-Conway Conway |
40 | $27,479/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter |
40 | $26,254/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton |
40 | $22,578/yr |
| Legal Support Services | York Technical College Rock Hill |
39 | $27,997/yr |
| Legal Support Services | South University-Columbia Columbia |
36 | $31,126/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | University of South Carolina-Lancaster Lancaster |
33 | $22,995/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie Allendale |
30 | $19,438/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | University of South Carolina-Sumter Sumter |
29 | $18,517/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | University of South Carolina-Union Union |
29 | $18,455/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Spartanburg Methodist College Spartanburg |
26 | $14,509/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.