Alabama Trade Schools and Apprenticeships
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Showing all schools and apprenticeships in Alabama.
We only list Accredited Schools and U.S. Department of Labor–registered Apprenticeships. Programs cannot pay to be featured.
Top Apprenticeship Programs in Alabama
Explore the most trusted Apprenticeship programs available in Alabama.
Kelso Industries (Wallace Electric) is seeking motivated Commercial and Industrial Electrical Apprentices for a long-term, two-year project in Montgomery, Alabama.
The Mechanical Insulator Apprentice program offered through the Asbestos Workers Local 78 is a registered apprenticeship designed to prepare individuals for careers in mechanical insulation and environmental containment work.
The Mechanical Insulator Apprenticeship with Asbestos Workers Local 78 Apprentice Training Trust in Birmingham, Alabama is a structured, four-year program that prepares individuals for a career in mechanical insulation and environmental systems.
The Alabama Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) offers a comprehensive HVAC apprenticeship program designed to prepare individuals for careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
The Alabama HVAC Apprenticeship Program provides a structured pathway for individuals looking to build a career in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.
Leading Automotive Programs in Alabama
Discover top-rated Automotive training options available in Alabama.
The Automotive Technology Program at Herzing University–Birmingham prepares students for fast-paced and rewarding careers in the automotive repair and service industry.
Wallace Community College’s Electrical Technology program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to install, operate, maintain and repair electric apparatus and systems across residential, commercial and industrial environments.
Top Electrician Programs in Alabama
Explore the most trusted Electrician programs available in Alabama.
IBEW Local 136 in Birmingham, Alabama, offers a five-year electrical apprenticeship program through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), in partnership with NECA.
Central Alabama Community College’s Electrical Technology Program prepares students for hands-on careers in the electrical trade by combining classroom instruction with practical lab training.
Jefferson State Community College’s Electrical Technology program is designed for students ready to enter the electrical trade with solid hands-on skills.
Troy University’s Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Electronics Engineering offers a modern curriculum designed to bridge electronic systems theory with hands-on experience.
LBWCC’s Electrical Technology program is crafted to equip students with the practical skills and foundational knowledge needed for careers in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems.
The Electrical Technology program at Southwest Alabama Community College is designed to equip students with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills necessary for a career in the electrical industry.
Shelton State’s Electrical Technology program combines classroom study with hands-on lab projects to prepare students for careers in the electrical trade.
Calhoun Community College’s Electrical Technology program provides comprehensive training for students seeking careers in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical fields.
Gadsden State’s Electrical Technology program trains students for careers in residential, commercial and industrial electrical occupations.
Bevill State Community College offers a comprehensive Electrical Technology Program designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the electrical industry.
Leading HVAC Programs in Alabama
Discover top-rated HVAC training options available in Alabama.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 91 offers a rigorous five-year apprenticeship program designed to equip individuals with the skills, certifications, and field experience needed to become licensed journeymen in plumbing and pipefitting.
The HVAC/R Technology Program at Trenholm State Community College provides students with the knowledge and technical skills to install, service, and maintain residential, commercial, and industrial climate-control systems.
Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) is a statewide workforce development agency that provides free, high-quality training for Alabama residents pursuing careers in skilled trades.
Best Lineman Programs in Alabama
Browse accredited and verified Lineman programs across Alabama.
Wallace Community College offers a Line Worker Training Program tailored to prepare students for careers in the electrical utility and powerline construction industries.
Lawson State Community College offers a Line Worker Training Program designed to prepare students for careers in the electrical utility and powerline construction industries.
Calhoun Community College offers a comprehensive Lineman Training Program designed to prepare students for careers in the electrical utility and powerline construction industries.
Bishop State Community College offers a focused Lineman Training Program through its Workforce Development and continuing education division, preparing students for careers in the electrical distribution and powerline industry.
Trenholm State Community College offers a focused Line Worker Training program through its Workforce Development Division for individuals seeking an entry point into the electrical linework and utility construction industries.
Best Plumbing Programs in Alabama
Browse accredited and verified Plumbing programs across Alabama.
Southern Union State Community College’s Plumbing Technology Program provides students with the knowledge and practical experience needed to enter the plumbing and pipefitting trade.
Leading Welding Programs in Alabama
Discover top-rated Welding training options available in Alabama.
The Welding Technology Program at Coastal Alabama Community College provides comprehensive technical training that prepares students for skilled careers in welding, fabrication, and industrial maintenance.
Cost & Timeline to a Trade Career in Alabama
Average Cost of Trade School in Alabama
Trade school costs in Alabama often depend on where training is located and which industries support it. Programs tied to coastal industry, manufacturing, or local service work can differ in tuition, fees, and available financial support. Residency matters: Out-of-state tuition is about $4,504 higher than in-state on average.
| Alabama Public 2-Year Tuition (In-State) | $5,755 |
|---|---|
| Alabama Public 2-Year Tuition (Out-of-State) | $10,259 |
What this usually does not include: Tools/PPE, books, lab fees, certification exams, travel, and program-specific supply costs.
Average Cost of Apprenticeship in Alabama
Apprenticeships are often paid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs while you train on the job and complete required instruction. In many cases, the employer covers tuition or class fees while you earn wages. You may still need to budget for tools, safety gear, and travel.
About this data: Tuition data sources include Apprenticeship.gov, College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Actual costs may vary by program length, residency, and supplies.
Paying for Trade School in Alabama
Many trade students try to minimize debt by using scholarships or workforce funding first. Employer tuition assistance may also be available in certain industries. These options can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
If private borrowing is still required, reviewing rates and repayment timelines in advance is a smart step: Compare private student loan rates
Alabama Timeline, Pay & Licensing
- Many trade careers in Alabama can start within 6–18 months through a certificate or diploma, while registered apprenticeships commonly run 3–5 years as paid, structured on-the-job training.
- Licensing and certification rules vary by trade and sometimes by city/county. For regulated trades (often electrical, plumbing/HVAC, and contracting), requirements commonly involve documented work hours, exams, and/or contractor licensing depending on scope—always verify with the appropriate Alabama licensing board and local permitting office.
- Some trades require additional classroom hours, exams, or documented work hours. That can increase total time-in-training and overall cost.
- Requirements vary by trade and locality, require exams and documented hours, while others focus more on employer training.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Alabama
Below is a snapshot of typical pay (salary) for popular trades in Alabama. Figures are pulled from our state wage datasets for each trade.
Tip: Click a trade name to explore pay trends, training paths, and state-by-state comparisons.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $24.31 | $972 | $4,214 | $50,535 |
| AV Technician | $30.25 | $1,210 | $5,243 | $62,920 |
| Carpenter | $23.71 | $947 | $4,106 | $49,277 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $32.63 | $1,305 | $5,656 | $67,871 |
| CNC Machinist | $22.43 | $897 | $3,886 | $46,634 |
| Construction | $23.80 | $952 | $4,125 | $49,504 |
| Concrete Finisher | $26.09 | $1,044 | $4,522 | $54,267 |
| Diesel Technician | $27.12 | $1,085 | $4,701 | $56,410 |
| Electrician | $28.75 | $1,150 | $4,983 | $59,799 |
| Heavy Equipment | $23.50 | $908 | $3,930 | $47,162 |
| HVAC Technician | $26.37 | $1,058 | $4,583 | $54,996 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $26.05 | $1,042 | $4,516 | $54,196 |
| Ironworker | $24.82 | $991 | $4,295 | $51,535 |
| Lineworker | $38.84 | $1,554 | $6,732 | $80,787 |
| Marine Mechanic | $26.97 | $1,079 | $4,674 | $56,037 |
| Mason | $25.34 | $1,014 | $4,392 | $52,707 |
| Plumber | $30.55 | $1,176 | $5,094 | $61,132 |
| Roofer | $22.99 | $920 | $3,985 | $47,819 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $24.32 | $927 | $4,014 | $48,166 |
| Welder | $23.18 | $923 | $3,998 | $47,974 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
How Easy It Is to Find Trade Jobs in Alabama
Entry difficulty: Lower than average for the Southeast. Alabama offers comparatively accessible entry into many skilled trades due to a combination of industrial hiring demand, fewer statewide licensing barriers, and a long-standing employer-based training culture tied to manufacturing, shipbuilding, and defense facilities.
Unlike states where trade employment is heavily tied to cyclical residential construction, Alabama’s demand is anchored by year-round industrial operations. Manufacturing plants, shipyards, utilities, and defense-related facilities require ongoing maintenance, repair, and skilled labor regardless of seasonal building trends. This creates more consistent hiring for electricians, industrial mechanics, welders, HVAC technicians, and maintenance trades.
Alabama’s lower cost of living and employer-driven training pipelines also make it easier for entry-level workers to gain experience without relocating or carrying heavy upfront education costs.
What Actually Drives Trade Hiring in Alabama
- Industrial maintenance over new builds: Large plants and facilities employ full-time maintenance and electrical teams, creating steady demand beyond construction cycles.
- Plant-based training pipelines: Many employers hire entry-level workers and advance them internally through structured on-the-job training.
- Defense and aerospace support work: Facilities tied to federal contracts require continuous skilled labor for operations, retrofits, and compliance-driven upgrades.
- Port and shipyard operations: Coastal industries rely on repeat, long-term trade roles rather than short-term projects.
Where Trade Jobs Are Concentrated — and Why
- Birmingham metro area: Dense concentration of healthcare systems, utilities, and industrial services creates consistent demand for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical trades.
- Huntsville: Aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing drive demand for electricians, industrial technicians, and precision maintenance roles tied to long-term federal contracts.
- Mobile and the Gulf Coast: Shipbuilding, port infrastructure, and marine maintenance generate continuous hiring for welders, pipefitters, electricians, and marine trades.
Manufacturing and Infrastructure Anchors
Rather than relying on short-term construction cycles, Alabama’s trade workforce is supported by large, permanent facilities that require ongoing skilled labor:
- Automotive assembly and supplier plants — Continuous need for industrial electricians, maintenance technicians, and mechanical trades.
- Shipbuilding and port facilities — Long-term demand for welding, pipefitting, electrical, and marine-related trades.
- Defense and aerospace installations — Precision trades and maintenance roles supporting advanced manufacturing and federal infrastructure.
How Trade Workers Actually Get Hired in Alabama
In Alabama, trade jobs are commonly secured through a mix of direct employer hiring, technical college pipelines, and apprenticeship programs:
- Direct plant hiring: Manufacturing and shipyard employers frequently hire entry-level workers and provide in-house training.
- Technical college feeders: Community and technical colleges often partner directly with employers to supply graduates into maintenance and industrial roles.
- Registered apprenticeships: Used more heavily in electrical, pipefitting, and sheet metal trades, especially in metro areas.