Many trades are in high demand and allow graduates to join growing fields.
Trade schools are a way for high school graduates to start a profession in under a year.
Trade schools usually cost less than 1-2 years at a four-year college.
Trade school graduates can make salaries comparable to some college graduates.
California has some of the highest-paid tradespeople in the nation, making it an attractive place to go to trade school. Highly skilled work with ongoing training can also be a fulfilling lifelong career. Many tradespeople love what they do.
Tradespeople like cosmetologists, medical assistants, and surgical assistants are in high demand. Some well-paid professionals like airline pilots, computer programmers, and animators also don't need a college degree.
Trade schools offer the potential to start earning quickly and build savings after high school graduation. People choose to go to trade school in California to start a career with little-to-no debt. Trade schools can either be used as a stepping stone into other careers or as longterm professional training.
Trade Jobs and Salaries in California
Many trade jobs in California only require applicants to possess postsecondary nondegree education, such as a high school diploma or GED. In addition, California has some of the highest average salaries for trade professionals like hairdressers and medical assistants. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects some trade jobs are projected to grow as much as 7% from 2023 to 2033.
Below are some of the highest-employed trade jobs in California:
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Projected employment growth (2023-2033): 5%
Average annual salary in California (May 2023): $58,270
Heavy and tractor-trailer drivers can start working in as little as a month with much lower education costs than bachelor's degree graduates. Some companies offer tuition reimbursement so drivers can start working debt-free. Walmart also offers truck drivers significantly higher starting salaries than most organizations. Projected job growth is on par with the national average.
Hairdressers, Hair Stylists, and Cosmetologists
Projected employment growth (2023-2033): 7%
Average annual salary in California (May 2023): $46,600
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in California make some of the highest salaries among these professionals in the country. According to the BLS, the national median pay for these workers was $34,970 per year in May 2023. These professionals can start working sooner and with lower education costs than graduates with bachelor's degrees. Projected job growth from 2023-2033 is faster than the national average.
Medical Assistants
Projected employment growth (2023-2033): 15%
Average annual salary in California (May 2023): $50,900
Medical assistants in California have the third highest average salaries in the nation among these professionals. These workers can gain employment in diverse clinical settings with as little as a year of training. Starting trade school to become a medical assistant is a comparatively quick, low-cost way to enter the medical field.
Motorboat Operators
Projected employment growth (2023-2033): 3%
Average annual salary in California (May 2023): $81,330
Jobs for water transportation workers, including motorboat operators, are projected to grow as fast as average between 2023 and 2033. Motorboat Operators in California made the highest average annual salary in the country in May 2023. On-the-job training may be available or can be completed in as little as six months.
Surgical Technologists
Projected employment growth (2023-2033): 6%
Average annual salary in California (May 2023): $76,170
Surgical technicians have the opportunity to assist in surgeries. Accredited surgical technician programs can be completed in as few as 12-24 months, much less time than it takes to earn a bachelor's degree or higher. In California, surgical technologists earned higher-than-average salaries last year. Pursuing this position can be a good entry point for people considering a medical degree.
Trade Schools in California
Many of the professionals we rely on in day-to-day life were trained at trade schools. Trade schools teach students specialized skills that translate directly to their professions. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are nearly 400 community colleges and trade schools in the state. Trade school programs vary widely in length. You can complete a five-week training program to become a truck driver or a 15-month training program to become a surgical assistant.
Jobs that fall under the trade category include:
Plumber
Electrician
Truck Driver
HVAC Specialist
Hairdresser
Esthetician
Surgical Assistant
Pharmacy Technician
Medical Assistant
Motorboat Operator
Landscape Architect
Long-Haul Truck Driver
Massage Therapist
Pilot
California is an excellent place to work as a tradesperson. According to the BLS, San Francisco is the second top-paying metro area for electricians in the country. Medical assistants in California also have the third highest average salaries in the country among these professionals.
Trade jobs are also in high demand. The BLS projects hairdresser and cosmetologist jobs to grow 7% between 2023 and 2033. Medical assistant, surgical assistant, and electrician jobs are also expected to grow faster than the national average.
Average Cost of Trade School in California
How much does trade school cost? Average trade institution costs in California vary by program and school. For example, at CBD College in Los Angeles, the surgical technician program costs a total of $25,790. The dental and medical assistant programs cost about $15,500, and the pharmacy technician program costs roughly $12,400.
The tuition and fees for the cosmetology program at The Paul Mitchell School in San Diego total about $24,100. The Center for Employment Training charges about $14,500 for its HVAC and green technology technician program.
In contrast, the University of California system charges state residents about $13,100 per year, plus additional fees, which can total upwards of $35,000 annually. Compared to the cost of a bachelor's degree, trade school is relatively affordable.
Students can graduate from many trade school programs in just 12-20 months and start earning a salary sooner. Over time, a bachelor's degree may have a higher return on investment (ROI), but that depends on an individual student's career path, salary potential, and total debt. For many students, attending trade school provides an excellent ROI and a stable career.
Financial Aid for Trade Schools in California
For those in need of financial aid, there are several grants and scholarships for trade schools in California. Students may also qualify for student loans or deferred payment plans. Many of these scholarships have online applications. Application instructions can be found at the links below:
Scholarships for California Programs
Federal Grants for California Programs
- Who qualifies: Students enrolled at a California community college and who meet Cal Grant eligibility requirements qualify.
How much it covers: Award amount varies by grant type. It can be used to cover tuition and fees.
Deadline: September 2, 2022
Cal Grant eligibility requirements state that students must be residents of California for a minimum of a year, demonstrate financial need, and attend a qualifying California college. Cal Grant A requires students to possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 in high school or 2.4 in college. Cal Grant B requires learners to have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in high school or college and is only for low-income students.
Many trade schools offer flexible payment plans or financing. Check with your school about financial aid and payment options.
Accreditations in California
Trade schools can be accredited. Different trades are governed by different accrediting bodies. Be sure to check the accreditation requirements for your career path. The main accrediting body is the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition, the California Department of Industrials Relations has a list of approved trade schools.
Some programs, like CDL training to become a truck driver, do not possess accreditation. However, students still need to attend state-approved programs to be eligible for the exam.
For example, the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants requires students to complete a program approved by the U.S. Department of Education or the Bureau for Private and Postsecondary Education to be eligible for certification. In many trades, students might not be able to sit for the licensing exam if the program they completed wasn't accredited.
Apprenticeships in California
Apprenticeships and internships can be another path to learning a vocation. California offers apprenticeships in 40 trades. These include opportunities in HVAC, surveying, carpentry, and ironwork.
Generally, applicants must be 18 or older and able to perform the work of the trade. Some apprenticeship programs also require a high school diploma or GED certificate. There are also vocational high schools in California where students can learn a trade while earning a high school diploma.
Frequently Asked Questions About Technical Schools in California
Trade schools, apprenticeships, and other training programs can all be considered when counting trade schools. For this reason, the exact number of trade schools in California depends on which institutions are included in the count.
There are over 80 trade schools listed with the California Department of Industrial Relations. According to NCES, there are about 400 1-2 year institutions in the state.
An apprenticeship is an alternative path that can allow you to enter many skilled trade professions without attending an official trade school. There are apprenticeship training programs in at least 40 vocations in California. Training for truck drivers occurs at driving schools that may not be listed as official "trade" institutions.
Best California Trade Schools
Each program on the list will meet our criteria, being:
Must offer certifications that can be completed in less than one year
Accredited
Less than 18:1 faculty to student ratio
Less than $35,000 in tuition costs
Over 50% graduation rate
- Private, for-profit
Cost: $21,990
Location: Sacramento, California
Application requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Graduation requirements: Students must complete 720 hours of instruction and pass California's certification exam. Apprenticeship programs involve 160 hours of classroom instruction per year, with 3-5 years of apprenticeship.
Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
About the program: This training program prepares all types of electricians with practical on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and classroom instruction. The institution has a graduation rate of 94%.
