Best Trade Schools in Washington for 2025
Check out 10 of the best trade schools in Washington and learn what programs they offer. There are many opportunities for trade workers in Washington State.
For many people across the U.S., trade programs are a great way to find a stable career without spending years in school. The state of Washington employs many trade workers thanks to its bustling economy.
Keep reading to learn about 10 of the best trade schools in Washington and learn what types of trade programs are available.
Featured Trade Schools in Washington
Multiple colleges offer trade programs in Washington. Keep reading to discover the best trade schools in Washington for 2024.
1. Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College is a public technical college in Tacoma. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education programs.
Trades are available in areas like:
- architectural woodworking/cabinet-making technology
- automotive technology
- carpentry
- culinary arts
- diesel and heavy equipment technology
- electrical construction
- health sciences
- heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technician
- motorcycle and marine technology
- welding
The college also offers several apprenticeship programs in fields like the aerospace industry, construction fields, and firefighting.
2. Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College is a public community college in Pasco. It offers a few bachelor's degrees but mainly associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education programs.
Students can study trades in fields like:
- automotive technology
- commercial driver's license
- health sciences
- manufacturing technology
- nuclear technology
- occupational health and safety
- welding technology
Multiple apprenticeships are available through the college, including programs in aerospace, carpentry, electrical line work, electrical work, millwright, plumbing and pipe fitting, and sheet metal.
3. Everett Community College
Everett Community College is a public community college in Everett. It offers associate degrees, certificates, continuing education programs, and even a few bachelor's and master's degrees.
Trades are available in areas like:
- aviation maintenance technology
- engineering technology
- health care
- mechatronics technology
- precision machining
- welding and fabrication
Additionally, the college has partnered with local committees to offer a variety of apprenticeship opportunities for careers like lineman, utility wireman, machinist, and precision metal fabricator.
4. Green River College
Green River College is a public community college in Auburn. It offers a few bachelor's degrees, but primarily associate degrees, certificates, and career and technical education programs.
Students can study trades in fields like:
- automotive technology
- aviation technology
- carpentry technology
- machining and manufacturing technology
- maintenance mechatronics
- water/wastewater technology
- welding technology
Multiple health science programs are also available, such as programs in medical office administration, nursing, phlebotomy, and physical therapy assistant training.
5. North Seattle College
North Seattle College is a public college in Seattle. It offers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, certificate programs, and continuing education programs.
Trades are available in areas like:
- aviation electronics
- fire science
- healthcare
- industrial power
- mechatronics
North Seattle College offers three apprenticeship programs to students: an associate controls specialist apprenticeship, an ironworkers apprenticeship, and a pharmacy technician apprenticeship.
6. Olympic College
Olympic College is a public community college in Bremerton. It offers associate degrees, certificates, continuing education programs, and a few bachelor's degrees.
Students can study trades in fields like:
- aviation technology
- engineering technology
- health care
- precision machining
- technical design
- welding
Two apprenticeship programs are available through Olympic College. The first is an associate controls specialist apprenticeship, and the second is an industrial trades technician apprenticeship.
7. Renton Technical College
Renton Technical College is a public community college in Renton. It offers a couple of bachelor's degrees, but mainly associate degrees and certificate programs.
Students can study trades in fields like:
- band instrument repair technology
- commercial building engineering
- commercial refrigeration technology
- culinary arts
- field surveying technology
- healthcare
- machining technologies
- mechatronics
- welding
The college offers multiple apprenticeships, including programs in carpentry, culinary arts, insulation, pile driving, plastering, roofing, and stationary engineering.
8. Shoreline Community College
Shoreline Community College is a public community college in Shoreline. It offers professional and technical associate degrees and certificate programs.
Students can study trades in fields like:
- automotive technology
- basic manufacturing
- clean energy technology
- machine maintenance
- manufacturing/machinist technology
- mechatronics
Other available career programs are available in fields like early childhood education and healthcare, including programs in dental hygiene, medical laboratory technology, nursing, and phlebotomy.
9. South Seattle College
South Seattle College is a public community college in Seattle. It offers associate degrees, certificates, continuing education programs, and a couple of bachelor's degrees.
Trades are available in areas like:
- aeronautical technology
- automotive technology
- culinary arts
- diesel and heavy equipment technology
- healthcare
- landscape horticulture
- maritime shipyard welding
- welding fabrication technology
South Seattle College partners with multiple local businesses to offer apprenticeships in fields like boilermaking, electrical, ironwork, machining, masonry, metal fabrication, and construction finishing.
10. Spokane Community College
Spokane Community College is a public community college in Spokane. It offers a bachelor's degree as well as associate degrees and certificate programs.
Students can study trades in fields like:
- architectural technology
- automotive collision and refinishing
- automotive technology
- aviation maintenance
- culinary arts
- electrical maintenance and automation
- HVACR
- healthcare
- machinist technology
- manufacturing
- welding and fabrication
Three apprenticeship programs are available at Spokane Community College: an aerospace apprenticeship, a logistics specialist apprenticeship, and an operations specialist apprenticeship.
Common Trade Jobs in Washington
Multiple trade jobs are common in Washington. Some of the most common include jobs in fields like:
- transportation, storage, and distribution
- construction and extraction
- healthcare practice and technology
- production
- installation, maintenance, and repair
- truck drivers
How Much Does Trade School Cost in Washington?
Two-year colleges in Washington tend to be slightly more expensive than the national average.
Washington residents studying at a two-year public school pay an average of $4,468 per year. Non-residents studying at a two-year public school in Washington pay an average of $6,500 per year.
Several financial aid programs are available to students in the trades. To find out what you qualify for, fill out your Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA).
Are There Online Trade Schools in Washington?
Many of the colleges listed above offer online programs or courses, but unfortunately, many trades require hands-on learning and cannot be learned in a fully-online format.
However, you may still be able to take some of your classes online, depending on your program. Check with your advisor to see if online courses are a possibility.
Explore Trade Schools Today
Many community and technical colleges in Washington offer trade programs. Check out the featured trade schools in Washington above to find the perfect trade program for you.