Like many states, California is grappling with a shortage of skilled tradespeople. With the proper training, you could position yourself to benefit from rising demand and the above-average wages that accompany many of these positions.
Trade schools in California offer diverse opportunities for the skilled workers of tomorrow. These institutions provide practical, career-focused programs with simpler entry requirements and lower costs than you would likely spend earning a college degree.
Connect with accredited California trade schools and explore skilled trades that offer an appealing combination of high pay and a strong growth outlook.
California at a Glance
- According to Advance CTE, career and technical education (CTE) accounts for 52.8% of all postsecondary credentials awarded in California.
- California students who pursue CTE after high school have a 95.7% placement rate within six months of graduating.
- CTE is an important source of upward economic mobility: 53.5% of California's postsecondary CTE students come from lower-income backgrounds.
Top 10 Trade Schools in California
Who Accredits California Trade Schools?
Like four-year universities, California's trade schools may hold institutional accreditation, which indicates that the school meets certain academic standards.
Credits you earn at an accredited school are more likely to transfer, and accredited credentials typically meet more professional licensure requirements. Students enrolled at accredited schools can also qualify for federal financial aid.
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges is the primary regional accreditor for two-year colleges in the state. California-based trade and vocational schools can also hold accreditation from national organizations like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
Additionally, private trade schools should also hold state approval and licensure. California's Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education regulates private vocational and trade schools.
Find Other Accredited Schools in California
Popular Trades to Learn in California
California has a favorable labor market for many skilled tradespeople. For example, solar photovoltaic installers, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapy assistants, and pest control workers have very strong job growth projections from 2022-2032 — each of these positions is projected to grow 3-5 times faster than the average job in California.
According to Projections Central, high-demand trades in the state include:
- Healthcare trades
- Mechanical and maintenance trades
- Construction and electrical trades
Many skilled trades offer high pay rates and strong returns on the time and money you invest in your training and education. You can usually complete a trade school program in two years or less, and some occupations — such as electrical power-line installers and repairers — earn median annual salaries approaching six figures.
How Much Is Trade School in California?
Average Full-Time Undergraduate Tuition in CA, 2023-2024
$19,576
Private, for-profit, less-than-two-year
$21,741
Private, for-profit, two-year
$20,878
Private, nonprofit, two-year
$1,286
Public, two-year
Trade schools in California tend to charge relatively affordable tuition rates, and you can maximize your savings by studying at a public institution. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, average tuition rates at public, two-year California colleges were roughly one-fourth the cost of the national average during the 2023-2024 school year.
You can cut your out-of-pocket costs even further by taking advantage of financial aid and funding programs for California trade school students. The state offers many such opportunities, including:
- The Apprenticeship Innovation Funding program for students training for trades in strategically important sectors
- The California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship grant program for people ages 16-24 who are returning to the education system
- California Apprenticeship Council Training Funds for students entering trades experiencing high retirement rates
Many trade schools in California also offer in-house financial aid opportunities to incoming students who need help affording their educational costs.