PA School Directory
Compare 29 accredited trade schools across 10 cities — tuition, programs, and PA licensing rules
29
Schools
10
Cities
15
Trade Programs
Pennsylvania has one of the most established trade school networks in the country, anchored by Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport), Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Lancaster), Triangle Tech, Johnson College (Scranton), and the Community College of Allegheny County. The state's mix of legacy manufacturing, energy (Marcellus Shale), and growing healthcare and logistics sectors keeps demand for skilled trades steady across both urban and rural areas.
PA's trade economy spans Pittsburgh-area construction and manufacturing, Philadelphia-area healthcare and refinery work, the I-78/I-80/I-81 logistics corridor, and the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry. Welders, pipefitters, CDL drivers, and electricians are in particular demand. The aging utility infrastructure across the state has also created multi-year work for line technicians and skilled electrical workers.
Based on hiring activity, employer demand, and program enrollment in PA.
Marcellus Shale pipeline work and legacy manufacturing across the state
Strong IBEW presence in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh plus utility infrastructure work
Major freight crossroads with I-80, I-78, I-81, and I-95 logistics
Aging building stock in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh creates constant retrofit demand
UPMC, Penn Medicine, and Geisinger drive Pittsburgh and Philadelphia hiring
Typical range
$5,000–$22,000
Total tuition
Listed school avg.
$13,084
Across 29 schools
Schools listed
29
In 10 cities
See our full trade school cost guide for state-by-state breakdowns and a deeper look at how to fund your training.
Trade licensing in PA varies by program. Here's what you'll typically need to legally work in each field after training:
| Trade | PA Requirement |
|---|---|
| Electrician | Licensed at the city/county level (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have the strictest requirements); no statewide license |
| Plumber | No statewide plumber license; major cities (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown) require local journeyman/master licensing |
| HVAC Technician | EPA 608 required; some municipalities require local registration. Philadelphia requires a Mechanical License. |
| CDL | Class A/B issued by PennDOT; ELDT-compliant training required |
| Cosmetology | 1,250 hours + Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology exam |
Public community college trade programs run $5,000-$11,000 total for residents. Pennsylvania College of Technology and Thaddeus Stevens fall in the middle of the range. Private trade schools run $13,000-$22,000. The PA State Grant (PHEAA) provides up to $5,750/year in need-based aid.
Pennsylvania College of Technology is technically an affiliate of Penn State that focuses on hands-on, career-oriented training. It bridges trade school and four-year college — students can earn certificates, associate degrees, or bachelor's degrees in trades like HVAC, welding, automotive, and construction. It's widely considered one of the best technical colleges in the U.S.
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide electrician license. Licensing is handled at the city and county level. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and most large municipalities require electricians to pass a local exam and register as a journeyman or master.
Penn College of Technology, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and Triangle Tech are widely regarded as the top welding programs in PA. All three offer AWS-certified curriculum and have strong placement records with regional employers.
Median listed tuition across 14 Pennsylvania schools that publish a price is $17,801, ranging from $3,780 to $19,500. The table below breaks that down by program — every figure comes from the tuition these schools publish, not a national average.
| Program | Programs | Median tuition | Range | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ❄️ HVAC Technician | 12 | $17,970 | $6,500–$23,750 | 6-24 months |
| 🔥 Welding | 12 | $18,200 | $3,780–$19,400 | 6-18 months |
| 🚗 Automotive Technician | 11 | $17,402 | $6,500–$19,400 | 6-24 months |
| 🩺 Medical Assistant | 11 | $11,475 | $5,500–$19,400 | 9-12 months |
| ⚡ Electrician | 10 | $17,402 | $6,500–$19,400 | 9-24 months |
| 🪚 Carpentry | 9 | $14,551 | $6,500–$19,400 | 6-24 months |
| 💻 IT & Networking | 9 | $10,575 | $6,500–$19,400 | 6-24 months |
| 🚚 CDL Training | 8 | $7,560 | $4,200–$18,690 | 3-8 weeks |
| 🔧 Plumbing | 7 | $11,700 | $6,500–$20,550 | 9-24 months |
| 💊 Pharmacy Technician | 7 | $8,600 | $2,100–$18,750 | 6-12 months |
| 👨🍳 Culinary Arts | 7 | $11,700 | $7,560–$18,690 | 6-24 months |
| 🦷 Dental Assistant | 6 | $11,700 | $5,500–$18,690 | 9-12 months |
| 💇 Cosmetology | 6 | $17,500 | $16,200–$19,500 | 9-15 months |
| 💆 Massage Therapy | 4 | $9,630 | $7,560–$11,700 | 6-12 months |
| 🐾 Veterinary Technician | 2 | $15,550 | $11,700–$19,400 | 18-24 months |
Based on the 29 schools listed on Trade Schools Review in Pennsylvania. Median is calculated across programs with a published tuition figure; schools that quote on request are excluded. Confirm current pricing with the school.
The lowest published tuition among Pennsylvania schools in our directory. Public community and technical colleges dominate this list — they charge in-district rates for the same credentials private career colleges sell at several times the price.
Pittsburgh, PA · Community College
$3,780
listed tuition
McCandless, PA · Community College
$5,500
listed tuition
Bethlehem, PA · Community College
$5,850
listed tuition
Monroeville, PA · Community College
$6,500
listed tuition
Lancaster, PA · Technical College
$9,450
listed tuition
Pittsburgh, PA · Private Trade School
$16,200
listed tuition
Pittsburgh, PA · Private Trade School
$17,402
listed tuition
Philadelphia, PA · Private Trade School
$18,200
listed tuition
Philadelphia has the most options in the state with 14 schools. Pick a city to compare local programs, tuition, and schedules.
442 E Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
N/A
N/A students
3001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114
N/A
N/A students
1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
N/A
N/A students
1522 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102-2701
N/A
N/A students
4026 Woodhaven Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154
N/A
N/A students
8501 Hegerman St, Philadelphia, PA 19136
N/A
N/A students
315A Bainbridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
N/A
N/A students
1212 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
N/A
N/A students
9191 Torresdale Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136
N/A
N/A students
2770 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114
N/A
N/A students
263 N Lawrence St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
N/A
N/A students
1901 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
$18,200
N/A students
8040 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19152
N/A
N/A students
4207 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
N/A
N/A students
1200 Lebanon Rd, West Mifflin, PA 15122
N/A
N/A students
Robinson Plaza II Suite 100, Route 60 and Park Manor Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205
$19,500
200 students
1815 Metropolitan St, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
$0
N/A students
800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
$3,780
10,609 students
4768 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
$16,200
280 students
215 Beecham Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205
$17,402
628 students
1940 Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214
$18,538
109 students
With 29 options to compare, choosing the right trade school takes some research. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating programs in PA: