In California, trade careers have become some of the most reliable and financially rewarding paths to success. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many trade professionals in the state earn between $60,000 and $100,000 a year, with some, like electricians, elevator installers, and aircraft mechanics, pulling in even more. You don’t always need a university degree to land a well-paying job here.
Trade schools across California offer programs that train you for the kind of careers that keep the state running. If what you want is an education that gets you earning good money within a year or two, and you’re looking for the right place to start, check out our list of the top 10 trade schools in California.
What Is a Trade School?
A trade school, sometimes called a vocational or technical school, is a place where you learn skills for specific careers. Instead of spending years in general education classes like you would at a university, trade schools focus directly on what you need to do the job. You can learn automotive repair, welding, HVAC, electrical work, or medical assisting.
Most trade schools award certificates, diplomas, or associate degrees when you finish your program. These credentials prove you’re qualified and ready for work in your chosen field. For example, you could earn a welding certificate, an HVAC technician license, or an associate degree in automotive technology, all of which can lead straight to employment.
Trade schools are different from community colleges and universities. While community colleges often mix academic courses with technical ones and can lead to university transfer, trade schools stay laser-focused on career training. They’re shorter, more intensive, and built around the goal of getting you job-ready fast.
If you’re someone who prefers practical learning and wants to get into the workforce quickly, without piling up years of tuition or debt, check out the top ten trade schools in California below.
Best Trade Schools in California
If you’re in California and thinking about learning a skill you can actually make money from, you’ve got plenty of great options. The state has some really good trade schools. Here’s a look at some of the best trade schools in California where you can train, get certified, and start building a solid career.
1. Cerritos College (Norwalk)
Cerritos College is one of California’s strongest options for anyone interested in trade or technical careers. The school’s Career Technical Education programs cover fields like automotive technology, welding, culinary arts, dental assisting, and manufacturing. Classes are hands-on, with students spending plenty of time in modern labs and workshops that mirror real work environments.
Cerritos is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), and several programs also have specialized industry recognition. Most certificates take less than a year, while associate degrees can be completed in about two years.
The college keeps tuition affordable and offers financial aid and career services to help students move from classroom to employment with confidence.
2. Southwestern College (Chula Vista)
Southwestern College offers a wide range of technical and vocational programs that prepare students for immediate employment or career advancement. You’ll find options in automotive technology, nursing, cosmetology, welding, and culinary arts, each designed with strong industry partnerships.
The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), ensuring high academic and training standards. Southwestern emphasizes practical learning, and many of its programs include internships or apprenticeships that give students valuable experience before graduation.
3. Los Angeles Trade–Technical College (Los Angeles)
Known as one of the oldest trade schools in the state, LATTC focuses entirely on career and technical education. It offers programs in fields like construction, fashion design, culinary arts, cosmetology, and electrical technology.
The school is part of the Los Angeles Community College District and accredited by ACCJC/WASC. LATTC’s training is hands-on, and its instructors often come directly from the industries they teach.
Graduates leave with recognized skills and industry certifications that make them competitive in the job market.
4. City College of San Francisco (San Francisco)
City College of San Francisco (CCSF) combines strong academic programs with excellent technical training. Students can study trades such as automotive technology, radiologic science, construction management, and advanced manufacturing.
CCSF is accredited by the ACCJC/WASC, and many programs align with state licensing or certification standards. The college’s modern labs and partnerships with local employers make it easy for students to transition from training into steady jobs within the Bay Area.
5. College of the Desert (Palm Desert)
College of the Desert serves California’s Coachella Valley with practical, career-centered programs in fields like HVAC technology, nursing, automotive, and digital design. Accredited by the ACCJC/WASC, the school is known for small class sizes and strong support services, helping students balance work, study, and family life.
COD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department works closely with local industries to ensure programs stay relevant and that graduates are ready for in-demand jobs.
6. Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut)
Mt. San Antonio College, commonly called Mt. SAC, has one of the largest selections of technical programs in Southern California. Students can choose from trades such as aviation maintenance, welding, public safety, health sciences, and broadcasting.
The college is fully accredited by the ACCJC/WASC and offers both short-term certificates and associate degrees. Mt. SAC is also known for its strong ties to employers, helping graduates find work quickly after completing their studies.
7. San Diego Miramar College (San Diego)
San Diego Miramar College provides hands-on technical education with programs in automotive technology, aviation maintenance, fire technology, and business. The college holds accreditation from the ACCJC/WASC and emphasizes real-world experience through internships and lab-based training.
Miramar is especially recognized for its advanced automotive programs, which are supported by major auto manufacturers and local dealerships, giving students direct pathways to jobs after graduation.
8. Sacramento City College (Sacramento)
Sacramento City College (SCC) offers a strong lineup of trade and technical programs, including welding, HVAC, dental assisting, and construction. Accredited by the ACCJC/WASC, SCC focuses on preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce or for transferring to a four-year program.
Its campus includes well-equipped labs, experienced instructors, and career centers that help connect students with local employers across Northern California.
9. Santa Rosa Junior College (Santa Rosa)
Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) is known for its excellent facilities and commitment to hands-on learning. Its trade programs include agriculture, automotive technology, culinary arts, construction, and health sciences.
The college is accredited by ACCJC/WASC and partners with businesses throughout Sonoma County. SRJC’s career programs balance classroom learning with real work experience, helping students graduate with both knowledge and confidence.
10. Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa)
Orange Coast College (OCC) is a popular choice for students looking for practical, skill-based education in Southern California. It offers technical programs in areas like aviation, culinary arts, digital media, and marine science.
OCC is accredited by the ACCJC/WASC and is well-known for its modern training facilities and supportive instructors. Many OCC graduates go directly into good-paying jobs or continue their education with solid foundations in their chosen fields.
The Most Lucrative Trade Jobs (Programs) in California
If your goal is to learn a skill that pays well in California, go for trades that employers are actively looking for and that come with clear certification or apprenticeship paths. Below are the trades that consistently top the pay charts in California.
Electricians, plumbers, and pipefitters sit at the top for a reason: they’re essential, licensed, and require real training. Journeyman electricians and experienced plumbers earn strong wages, especially in big cities where construction and maintenance are constant. Union routes often pay even better and provide steady work.
HVAC technicians and refrigeration specialists are also in high demand. In places like Southern California, qualified HVAC techs with industry certifications can earn very good salaries, and experienced ones often move up to supervisory or business-owner roles.
Lineworkers and elevator installers are harder to get into, but they pay extremely well. These jobs need formal apprenticeships and physical endurance, which is why they’re always in short supply and come with premium pay.
Diesel mechanics and heavy equipment technicians earn strong incomes in California’s logistics and construction sectors. Skilled mechanics with employer or manufacturer certifications are especially valued.
Aircraft mechanics and avionics techs also rank high. With FAA certification, they find steady, well-paying jobs near airports, airlines, and defense contractors.
Welders, boilermakers, and metal-trade specialists earn solid wages, too, particularly in industrial or large-scale construction. Advanced welding certifications can push earnings even higher.
And if you’re drawn to clean energy, solar installers and wind-turbine techs are great modern trades with strong growth and competitive pay as California expands renewable projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why should I consider going to a trade school in California?
Trade schools give you real-world skills that can quickly turn into a paycheck. In California, where industries like construction, energy, and technology are booming, skilled workers are always in demand.
Instead of spending four years in college, you can complete a program in a year or two and start earning while others are still studying.
2. How long does it take to finish a trade program?
Most trade programs in California take between a few months and two years, depending on what you study. For example, welding or HVAC certifications can be done in under a year, while programs like aircraft maintenance or advanced electrical work might take longer.
Either way, you’ll spend less time in school and more time getting hands-on experience.
3. What are the most in-demand trade jobs in California right now?
Some of the hottest trades in California include electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, welders, diesel mechanics, and solar panel installers.
These roles stay in demand because the state keeps growing and investing in construction, infrastructure, and renewable energy.
4. How much can you earn after finishing a trade school program?
Your earnings depend on the trade and your experience, but many skilled workers in California start around $45,000–$60,000 a year, with potential to earn $80,000 or more as they gain experience or certifications.
Some specialized trades, like aircraft mechanics or elevator installers, can earn six figures.
5. Is trade school better than college?
It depends on what you want. If your goal is to learn a practical skill, start working quickly, and avoid big student loans, trade school is a great choice.
You’ll spend less time in class, less money on tuition, and still walk out with a career that pays well and offers room to grow.
If you’re ready to learn a skill that actually gets you hired, any of these California trade schools is a solid place to start.