Arizona Trade Schools and Apprenticeships
All Trade Schools & Apprenticeships / Arizona Trade Schools and Apprenticeships
Filter by Program Type
Select one or more options below to filter results. Then click Apply.
Showing all schools and apprenticeships in Arizona.
We only list Accredited Schools and U.S. Department of Labor–registered Apprenticeships. Programs cannot pay to be featured.
Cost & Timeline to a Trade Career in Arizona
Average Cost of Trade School in Arizona
Most trade programs in Arizona are offered through public technical schools and community colleges. The tuition figures below are a baseline for many career programs, while total out-of-pocket cost can vary by trade due to lab time, tools, and certification or licensing requirements.
In Arizona, fast-growing metros and hot-climate building needs can influence which trades are most in-demand across the state.
Residency matters: Out-of-state tuition is about $5,151 higher than in-state on average.
| Arizona Public 2-Year Tuition (In-State) | $2,298 |
|---|---|
| Arizona Public 2-Year Tuition (Out-of-State) | $7,449 |
What this usually does not include: Tools/PPE, books, lab fees, certification exams, travel, and program-specific supply costs.
Trade type: Lab-heavy programs (welding, electrical, industrial maintenance) can carry higher equipment and lab fees than shorter programs (like CDL).
Average Cost of Apprenticeship in Arizona
Apprenticeships are often paid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs while you build skills through supervised work and related instruction. Your out-of-pocket costs are often minimal to none (as the apprentice). The employer will typically cover tuition, while you earn a salary. Potential out-of-pocket costs for apprenticeships may include supplies, tools, or 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.
Arizona Timeline, Pay & Licensing
- In Arizona, many trade programs take 6–18 months to reach entry-level, while apprenticeships commonly last 3–5 years with paid, supervised training.
- Arizona licensing varies by trade and job scope. Contractor-level work often requires state licensing, while some trade work is governed by local permits and inspections—check the relevant Arizona licensing agency and the city/county where you’ll work.
- 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—some paths require exams and documented hours, while others focus more on employer training.
Typical timelines by trade
| Trade | School (Typical) | Apprenticeship (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 6–18 months | 3–5 years |
| Plumber | 6–18 months | 3–5 years |
| HVAC Technician | 6–18 months | 2–5 years |
| Welder | 4–12 months | 1–4 years |
| Carpenter | 3–12 months | 3–4 years |
| CDL Truck Driver | 1–3 months | 0–1 year |
Timelines are general ranges and can vary by program, employer, and licensing requirements.
Average Trade Wages in Arizona
Below is a snapshot of typical wages for popular trades in Arizona. 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 | $24.98 | $999 | $4,333 | $51,946 |
| AV Technician | $31.08 | $1,243 | $5,387 | $64,646 |
| Carpenter | $24.35 | $974 | $4,221 | $50,648 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $33.52 | $1,341 | $5,810 | $69,722 |
| CNC Machinist | $23.04 | $922 | $3,994 | $47,923 |
| Construction | $24.45 | $978 | $4,238 | $50,856 |
| Concrete Finisher | $26.80 | $1,072 | $4,645 | $55,744 |
| Diesel Technician | $27.84 | $1,114 | $4,826 | $57,907 |
| Electrician | $29.50 | $1,180 | $5,113 | $61,360 |
| Heavy Equipment | $24.10 | $933 | $4,043 | $48,520 |
| HVAC Technician | $27.09 | $1,086 | $4,704 | $56,449 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $26.77 | $1,071 | $4,640 | $55,684 |
| Ironworker | $25.50 | $1,018 | $4,413 | $52,953 |
| Lineworker | $39.92 | $1,597 | $6,919 | $83,029 |
| Marine Mechanic | $27.70 | $1,108 | $4,800 | $57,562 |
| Mason | $26.03 | $1,041 | $4,512 | $54,142 |
| Plumber | $31.32 | $1,212 | $5,249 | $62,996 |
| Roofer | $23.52 | $941 | $4,077 | $48,922 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $24.89 | $952 | $4,123 | $49,472 |
| Welder | $23.74 | $947 | $4,107 | $49,288 |
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 Arizona
Entry difficulty: Easier than average, with strong metro-driven demand. Arizona offers accessible entry into many skilled trades due to sustained population growth, large-scale commercial development, and infrastructure expansion across major metro areas. Licensing requirements are present in some trades but generally do not create the same barriers seen in heavily regulated coastal states.
Unlike states where trade employment is dominated by industrial facilities or seasonal tourism, Arizona’s demand is closely tied to continuous residential, commercial, and municipal development. Rapid growth in housing, healthcare systems, data centers, and transportation infrastructure creates steady hiring needs for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, concrete workers, and general construction trades.
Arizona’s climate also allows year-round construction activity, reducing seasonal slowdowns and providing more consistent work opportunities for entry-level and experienced trade workers alike.
What Actually Drives Trade Hiring in Arizona
- Population-driven construction: Ongoing residential and multi-family development sustains long-term demand for core construction trades.
- Commercial and data center expansion: Large facilities require skilled electrical, HVAC, and mechanical trades for build-out and ongoing maintenance.
- Municipal infrastructure projects: Transportation, water systems, and public facilities generate consistent public-sector trade work.
- Climate-enabled year-round work: Minimal weather disruption allows steady hiring without long off-seasons.
Where Trade Jobs Are Concentrated — and Why
- Phoenix metro area: The state’s primary growth engine, driving demand across residential, commercial, healthcare, and infrastructure projects.
- Tucson: University facilities, healthcare systems, and regional infrastructure support steady trade employment.
- Secondary growth corridors: Expanding suburbs and logistics hubs require ongoing electrical, plumbing, and HVAC services.
Construction, Infrastructure, and Utilities Anchors
Arizona’s trade workforce is supported by long-term development and infrastructure needs rather than short-term boom cycles:
- Residential and commercial construction — Continuous build activity supports framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades.
- Water and utility systems — Skilled trades maintain and expand critical infrastructure in a desert environment.
- Transportation and public works — Roadways, transit projects, and public facilities provide stable trade employment.
How Trade Workers Actually Get Hired in Arizona
Trade jobs in Arizona are commonly secured through contractor hiring, trade school pipelines, and apprenticeship programs tied to metro-area development:
- Contractor and subcontractor hiring: Many tradespeople enter the field through local construction firms and specialty contractors.
- Trade schools and community colleges: Technical programs feed directly into electrical, HVAC, and plumbing roles.
- Registered apprenticeships: Common in electrical and mechanical trades, particularly in large metro markets.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Opportunities in Arizona
Non-union pathways often emphasize direct hiring, faster entry into the workforce, and flexible job movement between employers. Many Arizona contractors hire entry-level workers and provide on-the-job training, particularly in residential construction, service trades, and smaller commercial projects.
Both routes can lead to strong careers in Arizona’s trade market. Union paths tend to offer more standardized training and benefits, while non-union routes may provide quicker entry and broader flexibility depending on the employer.
| Factor | Union Apprenticeships | Non-Union / Open-Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Training Structure | Formal apprenticeship with classroom instruction and on-the-job training | Primarily on-the-job training; structure varies by employer |
| Pay Progression | Defined wage scale with scheduled raises | Pay increases based on performance, experience, or employer policy |
| Benefits | Typically includes health insurance, pension, and retirement plans | Benefits depend on employer; may be limited or optional |
| Job Mobility | Dispatch-based work through the union hall | Direct hiring; workers often move between contractors |
| Best Fit For | Those seeking structured training and long-term stability | Those prioritizing flexibility and faster entry into the workforce |