5 Trade Schools That Pay You To Attend 2025

You may have heard that it's possible to get paid to go to trade school and you'd like to find out more. You're eager to find a trade school that pays you so you can get started in your future career without having to work or rack up tons of student debt for the training.

If this sounds like you, keep reading as we take a closer look at trade schools that pay you to attend. We'll also discuss how the best trade schools pay students and answer some frequently asked questions you may have.

Can I Get Paid To Go to Trade School?

Perhaps you're still wondering if it's too good to be true. Can you really get paid for attending a training program? Amazingly, the answer is yes.

Many trade and vocational schools train students in high-demand career paths like healthcare, automotive technology, and heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC). Programs may train students to be plumbers, welders, HVAC technicians, and more.

Because these trade jobs are in demand, companies and technical schools are always looking for ways to attract candidates. Paying for their education is one of the best ways to get more skilled workers into the field.

How To Get Paid To Go to Trade School

Perhaps you're still wondering what this looks like practically. How do technical schools pay you to pursue a trade school education? Below, we'll look at several ways you can get paid to go to trade school.

Apprenticeship Programs

Many vocational training programs make use of apprenticeships. These hands-on training programs help students learn the job while gaining valuable work experience. Plus, students get paid a normal salary while participating in apprenticeships.

Employer-Sponsored Training

If you already work for a company and are hoping to move into a skilled trade position within that company, your employer may be willing to cover your school costs. Many companies sponsor technical training and education programs in an effort to encourage their employees to improve their skills and seek career advancement, enabling the companies to promote from within.

Tuition Reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement is similar to employer-sponsored training in that the company you work for covers some or all of your educational costs. Tuition reimbursement programs pay employees back for some or all of the costs they incur while pursuing a degree, certificate, or vocational program.

Federal and State Workforce Grants

Federal and state grant money may be available to help you pursue a trade school job. You can look for these grants through specific government agencies or by checking with your trade school for a list of applicable programs.

Best Trade Schools That Pay You To Attend

If you're ready to learn more about trade schools that pay you to attend, keep reading. Below, we'll look at some top schools to consider, the ways they pay students, and the specific trades you can learn through these schools.

The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding

The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding is located in Virginia. Located on-site at a large shipbuilding company, this trade school offers four- to eight-year apprenticeship programs in a variety of shipbuilding trades.

Apprentices in these programs are taught at world-class facilities. They receive paid on-the-job training combined with classroom-based academic instruction, giving them a well-rounded education. In addition to being paid for their work, they receive generous benefits packages that include a 401K with company match, medical and life insurance, and paid time off.

Williamson College of the Trades

Williamson College of the Trades, located in Pennsylvania, is a vocational school for young, unmarried men with high school diplomas or GEDs. It offers various training programs that prepare students to work as electricians, masons, and other skilled workers.

The school offers a variety of financial aid options, including grants and scholarships. In fact, 100% of students attending the school receive need-based scholarships covering tuition and room and board costs. Additional merit-based scholarships are also available for promising students that can help cover other costs.

Focus: HOPE Machinist Training Institute

This vocational school prepares students for entry-level careers in various fields, ranging from information technology specialist to tree trimmer to medical assistant. The programs are available to students holding a high school diploma or GED and who meet other eligibility requirements, such as passing a drug screening and admissions test.

All of the programs at this school are scholarship-based, meaning that the majority of students receive need- or merit-based scholarships upon enrollment. The majority of students receive enough money in scholarship funding to complete their chosen programs free of charge.

Building Trades Educational Benefit Fund Apprenticeship Program

The Building Trades Educational Benefit Fund is a program for training electricians in New York. Students in the program receive about 180 hours of classroom instruction and up to 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year of the five-year program.

Apprentices are paired with companies throughout the state and are paid as full-time employees within their companies. Payments are made incrementally throughout the year after classroom training has been completed, and all costs associated with the program are covered.

Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Program by Texas Climate Jobs Project

The Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) program is an initiative from the Texas Climate Jobs Project. It is a three-week paid training program that provides students with the basic skills needed to enter apprenticeships in specific trades. The program is free to complete, pays students for participation, and provides preferred entry into a variety of apprenticeship programs.

Students receive training for union apprenticeships in the clean energy sector as well as other fields. Participants receive health and safety certifications, stipends, and direct pathways to employment in renewable energy industries.

FAQs About Trade Schools That Pay You To Attend

If you still have questions about getting paid to attend a trade school, keep reading. Below, we'll provide answers to some common questions you may be curious about.

How Much Do You Get Paid in Trade School?

Since there are different ways trade schools pay students, it's not possible to say how much any one school will pay you. Those that offer scholarships typically pay anywhere from $500 to the entire cost of the program. Those with apprenticeships may pay you a living wage for the duration of the program. It is not uncommon for trade schools to cover all costs associated with the training and still pay students wages or stipends for the work they put in through hands-on experiences.

What Are the Highest-Paying Trade School Programs?

Not all trade schools pay students to attend, and two schools offering the same types of programs may pay quite differently. With that in mind, the highest-paying trade school programs are the ones that lead to the highest-paying careers after graduation. These include programs that train students to be airline pilots, air traffic controllers, and nuclear technicians according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Can You Get Free Trade School?

There are different types of trade schools, and not all of them pay students to attend. However, students at some schools can earn their training for free. Some diplomas, certificate programs, and associate degrees are eligible for full-ride scholarships or stipends that cover all educational expenses.

Companies or nonprofit organizations may also provide funds to help students complete their certificates or degree programs free of charge. Finally, apprenticeships may pay students enough to entirely cover the costs of their training, enabling them to effectively attend trade school for free.

Begin Your Higher Education

Whether you're planning to get your education at a trade school, community college, or traditional four-year college, you can find your next school here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools featured on this site to find out more about their programs and to find the right one for you.