Trade Schools in Washington
Two paths into the skilled trades in Washington. Compare both before you commit.
Path 1 · Trade School
194 programs
at 58 Washington schools · pay tuition, finish faster
Top-paying program
$91,138/yr
Computer Science · Saint Martin's University
Avg grad earnings
$42,702/yr
first year after graduation
Path 2 · Apprenticeship
20 trades
434 registered sponsors · get paid to learn
Top-paying trade
$133,030/yr
Elevator & Escalator Mechanic · median wage
Avg median wage
$82,443/yr
across all apprenticeable trades
Apprenticeship Trades in Washington
Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship pathways available in Washington, sorted by median wage. Click any trade to see Washington-specific sponsors and live openings.
| Trade | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator & Escalator Mechanic | $133,030 | 1,170 |
| Electrical Power-Line Worker | $125,710 | 2,560 |
| Boilermaker | $113,970 | 150 |
| Ironworker | $106,340 | 320 |
| Electrician | $96,530 | 18,380 |
| Firefighter | $93,490 | 8,000 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $93,230 | 3,870 |
| Bricklayer & Blockmason | $92,910 | 750 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | $79,070 | 12,210 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $76,940 | 6,880 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $75,220 | 10,300 |
| Carpenter | $73,260 | 26,340 |
| Glazier | $68,900 | 1,750 |
| HVAC Technician | $67,630 | 7,090 |
| Machinist | $64,510 | 6,980 |
| Welder | $61,730 | 7,680 |
| Roofer | $60,330 | 4,840 |
| Construction Painter | $58,520 | 8,820 |
| Automotive Mechanic | $57,790 | 13,740 |
| Insulation Worker | $49,760 | 1,070 |
See the full Washington apprenticeship picture — sponsors + live openings →
Browse by City in Washington
Narrow to your metro — each city page shows local trade schools, programs, and (where available) apprenticeship listings.
Trade School Programs in Washington
Most common skilled trade programs at Washington trade schools. Pick a trade to compare programs across Washington.
HVAC Technology
$47,793/yr avg grad
Welding & Metalworking
$36,692/yr avg grad
Vehicle Repair Technology
$39,334/yr avg grad
Electrical Installation
$62,192/yr avg grad
Electrical Repair Technology
$49,436/yr avg grad
Construction Trades
$39,366/yr avg grad
Marine Transportation
$38,699/yr avg grad
Truck Driving & CDL
$36,783/yr avg grad
Aviation
$21,676/yr avg grad
Highest-paying trade program in Washington: Electrical Installation at Spokane Community College — $66,921/yr first-year earnings. See full state rankings →
Browse by Category
Skilled Trades (20)
Healthcare (84)
Engineering & Technology (11)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1)
Personal Services (18)
Business & Office (14)
Agriculture & Natural Resources (6)
Education (4)
Arts & Design (3)
Other Programs (33)
Skilled Trades (20 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Installation | Spokane Community College Spokane |
84 | $66,921/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Spokane Community College Spokane |
72 | $37,228/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Clark College Vancouver |
69 | $45,656/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | International Air and Hospitality Academy Vancouver |
68 | $36,783/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
66 | $57,462/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Spokane Community College Spokane |
65 | $38,197/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Spokane Community College Spokane |
63 | $35,309/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Clark College Vancouver |
62 | $46,609/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee |
60 | $50,579/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Spokane Community College Spokane |
59 | $42,862/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
57 | $57,782/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
57 | $53,153/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
56 | $36,253/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
55 | $45,720/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
54 | $41,301/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Northwest HVAC/R Training Center Spokane |
51 | $39,949/yr |
| Construction Trades | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
51 | $39,366/yr |
| Marine Transportation | Divers Institute of Technology Seattle |
47 | $38,699/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Olympic College Bremerton |
45 | $23,548/yr |
| Aviation | International Air and Hospitality Academy Vancouver |
38 | $21,676/yr |
Healthcare (84 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Olympic College Bremerton |
87 | $84,108/yr |
| Nursing | Bellevue College Bellevue |
87 | $82,286/yr |
| Nursing | Everett Community College Everett |
87 | $79,945/yr |
| Nursing | Shoreline Community College Shoreline |
87 | $78,850/yr |
| Nursing | Spokane Community College Spokane |
87 | $77,999/yr |
| Nursing | Lower Columbia College Longview |
87 | $75,715/yr |
| Nursing | Highline College Des Moines |
86 | $84,619/yr |
| Nursing | Seattle Central College Seattle |
86 | $83,117/yr |
| Nursing | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
86 | $82,447/yr |
| Nursing | Grays Harbor College Aberdeen |
86 | $81,243/yr |
| Nursing | Peninsula College Port Angeles |
86 | $79,369/yr |
| Nursing | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland |
85 | $83,313/yr |
| Nursing | Whatcom Community College Bellingham |
85 | $82,805/yr |
| Nursing | Big Bend Community College Moses Lake |
85 | $79,826/yr |
| Nursing | Yakima Valley College Yakima |
84 | $78,316/yr |
| Nursing | Centralia College Centralia |
84 | $77,740/yr |
| Nursing | Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee |
84 | $76,527/yr |
| Nursing | Clark College Vancouver |
84 | $63,543/yr |
| Nursing | Renton Technical College Renton |
83 | $80,411/yr |
| Nursing | Columbia Basin College Pasco |
82 | $77,785/yr |
| Nursing | Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon |
82 | $71,639/yr |
| Nursing | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia |
82 | $69,107/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Olympic College Bremerton |
82 | $48,850/yr |
| Nursing | Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla |
81 | $75,416/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
81 | $53,065/yr |
| Medical Assisting | North Seattle College Seattle |
78 | $48,502/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Bellevue College Bellevue |
76 | $79,877/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
76 | $58,382/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Shoreline Community College Shoreline |
74 | $78,372/yr |
| Health Administration | Spokane Community College Spokane |
74 | $32,404/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
73 | $73,435/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Spokane Community College Spokane |
73 | $63,228/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Highline College Des Moines |
72 | $50,468/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane |
72 | $47,797/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Spokane Community College Spokane |
72 | $36,003/yr |
| Health Administration | Everett Community College Everett |
72 | $31,385/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee |
71 | $38,841/yr |
| Health Administration | Spokane Community College Spokane |
71 | $35,905/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | North Seattle College Seattle |
69 | $49,101/yr |
| Mental Health Services | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane |
69 | $45,849/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland |
68 | $45,385/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Olympic College Bremerton |
68 | $41,886/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Clark College Vancouver |
68 | $41,100/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla |
68 | $38,894/yr |
| Health Administration | Clark College Vancouver |
68 | $37,087/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Columbia Basin College Pasco |
67 | $64,223/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Whatcom Community College Bellingham |
67 | $44,573/yr |
| Health Administration | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
66 | $37,112/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
66 | $32,779/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
65 | $60,214/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon |
65 | $43,072/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Big Bend Community College Moses Lake |
65 | $41,348/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Spokane Community College Spokane |
65 | $35,992/yr |
| Health Administration | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
65 | $27,062/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Yakima Valley College Yakima |
64 | $50,976/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
64 | $43,425/yr |
| Health Administration | Carrington College-Spokane Spokane |
64 | $34,016/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle |
63 | $44,175/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton |
63 | $44,175/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
62 | $56,725/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
62 | $42,066/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Spokane Community College Spokane |
62 | $34,974/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle |
61 | $71,216/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle |
61 | $62,420/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton |
61 | $62,420/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Carrington College-Spokane Spokane |
60 | $38,395/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
60 | $37,096/yr |
| Medical Assisting | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia |
60 | $35,815/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Yakima Valley College Yakima |
59 | $34,771/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Clark College Vancouver |
59 | $33,570/yr |
| Health Administration | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle |
59 | $28,219/yr |
| Health Administration | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton |
59 | $28,219/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Carrington College-Spokane Spokane |
58 | $49,702/yr |
| Mental Health Services | Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon |
56 | $34,290/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle |
56 | $31,915/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton |
56 | $31,915/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
50 | $36,180/yr |
| Dental Assisting | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia |
48 | $31,694/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton |
47 | $31,071/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Carrington College-Spokane Spokane |
47 | $30,326/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle |
45 | $27,301/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton |
45 | $27,301/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Carrington College-Spokane Spokane |
43 | $26,740/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology Kennewick |
42 | $26,257/yr |
Engineering & Technology (11 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technology | Olympic College Bremerton |
73 | $86,309/yr |
| IT Management | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane |
72 | $39,022/yr |
| Computer Science | Saint Martin's University Lacey |
70 | $91,138/yr |
| IT Management | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
70 | $41,752/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Spokane Community College Spokane |
67 | $66,293/yr |
| Computer Networking | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia |
66 | $43,380/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Clark College Vancouver |
60 | $52,604/yr |
| Electromechanical Technology | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
57 | $75,843/yr |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | International Air and Hospitality Academy Vancouver |
55 | $46,762/yr |
| Software Development | Academy of Interactive Entertainment Seattle |
47 | $24,750/yr |
| Data Entry & Applications | Bellevue College Bellevue |
45 | $48,416/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice | Spokane Community College Spokane |
77 | $41,451/yr |
Personal Services (18 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | Spokane Community College Spokane |
67 | $23,529/yr |
| Culinary Arts | International Air and Hospitality Academy Vancouver |
64 | $28,085/yr |
| Cosmetology | Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline Shoreline |
47 | $25,497/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Spokane Spokane Valley |
46 | $24,554/yr |
| Cosmetology | Spokane Community College Spokane |
46 | $17,869/yr |
| Cosmetology | Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett Everett |
45 | $23,420/yr |
| Cosmetology | KaiStar Federal Way |
45 | $23,084/yr |
| Cosmetology | Summit Salon Academy Tacoma |
45 | $22,595/yr |
| Cosmetology | Fosbre Academy of Hair Design Olympia |
45 | $22,017/yr |
| Cosmetology | Aveda Institute Portland-Vancouver Campus Vancouver |
44 | $21,907/yr |
| Cosmetology | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Seattle Seattle |
44 | $21,785/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Richland Richland |
44 | $20,689/yr |
| Cosmetology | Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology Kennewick |
43 | $19,806/yr |
| Cosmetology | Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design Spokane |
43 | $19,286/yr |
| Cosmetology | BJ's Beauty & Barber College Tacoma |
43 | $19,248/yr |
| Cosmetology | Stylemaster College of Hair Design Longview |
43 | $18,413/yr |
| Cosmetology | Studio Beauty School Spokane Valley |
42 | $17,110/yr |
| Cosmetology | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood |
40 | $19,389/yr |
Business & Office (14 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | Clark College Vancouver |
79 | $40,313/yr |
| Business | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
76 | $40,863/yr |
| Business Administration | Columbia Basin College Pasco |
72 | $42,127/yr |
| Accounting | Spokane Community College Spokane |
70 | $31,873/yr |
| Business Administration | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
69 | $38,071/yr |
| Business Administration | Spokane Community College Spokane |
69 | $31,974/yr |
| Marketing | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane |
66 | $44,748/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Spokane Community College Spokane |
64 | $26,402/yr |
| Sales & Marketing | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
64 | $26,283/yr |
| Accounting | Spokane Community College Spokane |
63 | $33,193/yr |
| Accounting | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
61 | $29,188/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Spokane Community College Spokane |
58 | $28,743/yr |
| Business Administration | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
58 | $20,066/yr |
| Accounting | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
58 | $19,762/yr |
Agriculture & Natural Resources (6 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Mechanization | Perry Technical Institute Yakima |
53 | $43,797/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle |
50 | $36,090/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton |
50 | $36,090/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Carrington College-Spokane Spokane |
44 | $27,411/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle |
42 | $25,638/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton |
42 | $25,638/yr |
Education (4 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | Central Washington University Ellensburg |
78 | $50,340/yr |
| Teacher Education | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland |
63 | $33,869/yr |
| Teacher Education | Clark College Vancouver |
59 | $28,118/yr |
| Teacher Education | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane |
56 | $25,777/yr |
Arts & Design (3 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Seattle Central College Seattle |
46 | $29,775/yr |
| Design | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane |
39 | $21,508/yr |
| Film & Photography | Seattle Film Institute Seattle |
35 | $28,447/yr |
Other Programs (33 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Services | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
66 | $50,681/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Edmonds College Lynnwood |
64 | $45,880/yr |
| Human Services | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
57 | $41,008/yr |
| Mathematics | Walla Walla University College Place |
56 | $67,328/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Edmonds College Lynnwood |
52 | $39,455/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Spokane Community College Spokane |
52 | $34,583/yr |
| Geography & Cartography | Western Washington University Bellingham |
51 | $34,230/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Highline College Des Moines |
50 | $31,291/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Everett Community College Everett |
50 | $30,993/yr |
| Romance Languages | Walla Walla University College Place |
49 | $52,532/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Bellevue College Bellevue |
49 | $29,666/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland |
48 | $47,645/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Olympic College Bremerton |
48 | $29,917/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Lower Columbia College Longview |
47 | $30,845/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Shoreline Community College Shoreline |
47 | $28,804/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia |
46 | $29,056/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane |
46 | $28,078/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Northwest University Kirkland |
45 | $47,645/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Cascadia College Bothell |
45 | $27,352/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon |
44 | $30,437/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Seattle Central College Seattle |
43 | $28,025/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Whatcom Community College Bellingham |
43 | $27,020/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Yakima Valley College Yakima |
43 | $26,743/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee |
43 | $26,203/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Tacoma Community College Tacoma |
43 | $25,892/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Pierce College District Lakewood |
41 | $24,101/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Clark College Vancouver |
41 | $23,953/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Peninsula College Port Angeles |
40 | $23,117/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Grays Harbor College Aberdeen |
40 | $23,049/yr |
| Legal Support Services | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia |
39 | $27,530/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Big Bend Community College Moses Lake |
39 | $22,737/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla |
38 | $24,084/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Edmonds College Lynnwood |
38 | $21,520/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.