Chicago, IL Trade Schools
Browse 5 accredited trade schools and vocational training programs in Chicago, Illinois
5
Schools
10
Trade Programs
IL
State
Chicago has one of the deepest trade education ecosystems in the country, combining the seven-campus City Colleges of Chicago system (Daley, Harold Washington, Kennedy-King, Malcolm X, Olive-Harvey, Truman, Wright) with private institutes like Coyne College and Aviation Institute of Maintenance, and one of the strongest union apprenticeship infrastructures in the U.S. — IBEW Local 134, Plumbers Local 130, Pipefitters Local 597, and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters all run paid apprenticeships that consistently produce some of the highest-earning skilled tradespeople in America.
Chicago's trade economy is shaped by union construction (IBEW Local 134 alone has over 12,000 members), the city's massive healthcare cluster (Northwestern Medicine, Rush, University of Chicago Medicine, Advocate Health), Chicago's role as the largest U.S. inland freight hub (BNSF, UP, CSX, Norfolk Southern, plus O'Hare and Midway cargo operations), and ongoing manufacturing and industrial work along the I-55 and I-94 corridors. Wages for licensed Chicago electricians and plumbers are among the highest in the U.S.
City Colleges of Chicago has campuses across the city: Daley (Pilsen), Kennedy-King (Englewood), Malcolm X (West Side), Olive-Harvey (South Side), Truman (Uptown), Wright (Northwest Side), and Harold Washington (downtown). Coyne College sits in the West Loop. Aviation Institute of Maintenance is on the southwest side near Midway. Suburban community colleges (College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Triton in River Grove, Harper in Palatine, Moraine Valley in Palos Hills) extend the trade school network across Chicagoland.
Chicago is one of the most transit-friendly U.S. cities — the CTA L and bus network reach essentially every CCC campus. Many students take transit; parking near downtown and West Loop campuses can be expensive. Suburban community colleges are car-oriented but have free parking. Many programs run evening and weekend cohorts; CCC has rolling admissions for most diploma programs. The Illinois MAP Grant provides need-based aid for residents.
Based on local hiring activity and employer demand in the Chicago metro.
IBEW Local 134 is one of the largest and best-paying electrician locals in the U.S.; Chicago Supervising Electrician registration required for many roles
Plumbers Local 130 apprenticeship leads to top-tier wages; Illinois requires statewide journeyman licensing
Chicago is the largest U.S. inland freight hub; constant demand for OTR, intermodal, and local drivers
Northwestern, Rush, U of C Medicine, and Advocate Health drive sustained MA hiring across Chicagoland
Aging building stock plus harsh winters create constant retrofit and service demand; Chicago Refrigeration license adds an extra credential layer
3711 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609
$16,520
221 students
1 North State Street, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60602
$16,641
531 students
6301 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60621
$5,500
4,500 students
7500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60652
$5,500
7,000 students
4300 North Narragansett Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634
$5,500
11,000 students
Ready to start your career training? Here's how to get enrolled in a trade school in Chicago:
If wait lists are long or commute is an issue in Chicago, these nearby cities have additional trade school options.
City Colleges of Chicago in-district tuition is approximately $146 per credit hour, putting most diploma programs in the $5,000-$10,000 range. Coyne College and other private trade schools run $13,000-$20,000. The Illinois MAP Grant and Pell Grant can substantially offset costs for eligible students. CCC also offers the Chicago STAR Scholarship for tuition-free enrollment for eligible CPS graduates.
IBEW Local 134 admits new apprentices through a competitive application that includes an aptitude test (the IBEW Aptitude Test administered by NJATC), interview, and references. The 5-year apprenticeship pays you to learn and leads to journeyman status with strong wages and benefits. Many candidates work as non-union electrical helpers or attend trade school first to strengthen their application.
Yes — to perform electrical work in the city of Chicago, the work must be done by or under the supervision of a Supervising Electrician registered with the city. Trade school plus apprenticeship work hours qualify you to sit for the city exam. Suburban municipalities have separate licensing.
Coyne College, City Colleges of Chicago (especially Wright and Daley), and the suburban community colleges (College of DuPage, Triton, Harper, Moraine Valley) all run respected HVAC programs. The Chicago Refrigeration license adds an extra credential layer that smaller programs may not prepare you for, so verify program scope before enrolling.