--- title: "Trade School and Job Training Near You | CareerDirecting" description: "Get a better job without a four-year degree. Compare trades, see what they pay, and find schools near you that train you in months. Free." url: https://careerdirecting.com/ updated: 2026-10-10 site: CareerDirecting --- Your exit # Work ahead. Good pay. No degree needed. Most training takes months, not years. - - - - Free · About 2 minutes · No college required ## Find a school near you that trains you for a real job. Tell us what kind of work sounds good. We'll show you schools near you that teach it, how long it takes, what the job pays, and how people pay for the training. Many pay little or nothing out of pocket. - Most programs take 4 weeks to 2 years. Not 4 years. - You learn by doing, not by sitting in lectures. - Grants, aid, and paid apprenticeships can cover the cost. - Nobody will pressure you. You pick the school, or none. **You are here.** A better job is one short form away. **4 wk–2 yr** How long most training programs take **$0–$20K** Typical cost, before grants and aid **$45K–$65K** Typical yearly pay in many trades after a few years **Hiring now** Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, drivers, and medical assistants are all in demand Pick a direction ## Jobs you can train for fast Each one has its own page: what the work is like, how long school takes, what it costs, and what it pays. Tap one to read more, or go straight to the form. [ ### Electrician School**9–12 months, or a paid apprenticeship** Typical pay**About $62,000** The work**Wiring homes and buildings** ](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/electrician/) [ ### HVAC School**6–12 months** Typical pay**About $60,000** The work**Heating and air conditioning** ](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/hvac/) [ ### Welding School**7–9 months** Typical pay**About $51,000** The work**Joining metal for buildings, pipelines, ships** ](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/welding/) [ ### Plumbing School**1 year, or a paid apprenticeship** Typical pay**About $63,000** The work**Water, gas, and drain systems** ](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/plumbing/) [ ### Truck driving School**3–7 weeks for a CDL** Typical pay**About $57,000** The work**Local or long-haul hauling** ](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/truck-driving/) [ ### Medical assistant School**9–12 months** Typical pay**About $44,000** The work**Clinics and doctors' offices** ](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/medical-assistant/) [ ### Dental assistant School**9–12 months** Typical pay**About $47,000** The work**Dental offices, daytime hours** ](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/dental-assistant/) [ ### Auto & diesel School**6 months–2 years** Typical pay**About $50,000; diesel about $61,000** The work**Fixing cars, trucks, and heavy equipment** ](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/auto-mechanic/) Pay shown is the U.S. median for people in the job (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024), rounded. Starting pay is lower. Pay in your area may be higher or lower. [See all 24 careers](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/) Two roads ## College isn't the only way to a good job. Road A ### Four-year college Time 4 to 6 years Cost $40,000 to $150,000+Before interest on loans Paid while learning? No Then Entry-level jobOften paying back loans for 10 to 20 years Road B ### Trade school or apprenticeship Time 4 weeks to 2 years Cost $0 to $20,000Grants and aid often cover most of it. Apprenticeships are free. Paid while learning? Often, yesApprentices earn a paycheck from day one Then Working in monthsPay goes up as you gain skills and licenses College is the right road for some people. If it's right for you, take it. This site is for everyone else: people who want to earn a good living soon, without a mountain of debt. How it works ## Three stops. The first one is this page. Mile ### Answer five quick questions What kind of work you'd like, how far you got in school, and where to reach you. No essays. No test scores. About two minutes. Today Mile ### Schools near you reach out One or more schools that teach what you picked will call, text, or email you. Ask them anything: cost, schedule, how long, job help after. You don't owe them anything. Usually within a day Mile ### Pick one, or none Visit the school if you can. Ask about financial aid before you sign anything. If it feels right, enroll. If not, walk away. Your call. Your pace Paying for it ## Most people don't pay the full price. This is the part people worry about most, so here it is in plain words. Ask every school about all of these. Free money ### Pell Grants Federal grants for people with lower income. Up to about $7,400 a year. You don't pay it back. Apply with the FAFSA form (free, online). Free training ### WIOA job training Your state's workforce office can pay for training in high-demand jobs if you qualify. Ask at your local American Job Center. Paid to learn ### Apprenticeships You work for a company, earn a paycheck, and learn the trade on the job plus classes. Common for electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. No tuition. Veterans ### GI Bill If you served, the GI Bill can cover trade school, CDL school, and apprenticeships, plus a housing allowance while you train. State help ### State grants and scholarships Many states pay for community college or trade school in jobs they need filled. Your city page lists the ones in your state. Spread it out ### Payment plans Most schools let you pay monthly while you attend. Some employers will pay for your training if you agree to work for them after. **One rule before you sign anything:** ask the school to put the total cost in writing, and ask what happens if you stop halfway. A good school will answer both without hesitation. Schools near you ## Pick your city Each city page shows what training is nearby, which jobs are hiring there, and what your state will help pay for. [Kansas City, MO Missouri](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/missouri/kansas-city/) [St. Louis, MO Missouri](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/missouri/st-louis/) [Springfield, MO Missouri](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/missouri/springfield/) [Wichita, KS Kansas](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/kansas/wichita/) [Beckley, WV West Virginia](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/west-virginia/beckley/) [Charleston, WV West Virginia](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/west-virginia/charleston/) [Columbus, OH Ohio](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/ohio/columbus/) [Dayton, OH Ohio](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/ohio/dayton/) [Houston, TX Texas](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/texas/houston/) [San Antonio, TX Texas](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/texas/san-antonio/) [Tampa, FL Florida](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/florida/tampa/) [Memphis, TN Tennessee](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/tennessee/memphis/) [See all states and cities](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/) Questions ## Things people ask first ### Does this cost anything? No. Using this site is free. The schools pay us when you ask for information from them. You never pay us, and the school's price is the same as if you walked in off the street. ### Do I need a high school diploma or GED? Most programs ask for one. Some will help you get your GED first, or at the same time. If you don't have one, tell us on the form and we'll include schools that can help. ### I'm 35, 45, 55. Am I too old for this? No. Trade schools are full of adults changing careers. Many programs run at night or on weekends so you can keep your current job while you train. ### Will someone pressure me to sign up? Schools will call or email because you asked them to. They want you to enroll, so expect a sales pitch. You can say no, ask for time, or stop answering. If a school pushes too hard, tell us and we'll remove them. ### How do I know a school is legit? Ask three things: Is it accredited? Can it show job placement numbers for the last year? Will it put the total cost in writing? If the answer to any of those is a dodge, keep looking. Public community colleges are a safe bet almost everywhere. ### What if I can't decide what I want to do? Pick "Not sure yet" on the form. You'll hear from schools that offer several programs and can walk you through them. Reading two or three career pages on this site helps too. ## Your exit is right here. Five questions. Two minutes. Then schools near you take it from there. [Find schools near me](#form) --- Canonical page: https://careerdirecting.com/