Illinois Trade Schools and Apprenticeships
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Showing all schools and apprenticeships in Illinois.
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 Illinois
Average Cost of Trade School in Illinois
Most trade programs in Illinois 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 Illinois, big-metro commercial work and statewide infrastructure needs can create a wide range of pathways across union and open-shop markets.
Residency matters: Out-of-state tuition is about $7,898 higher than in-state on average.
| Illinois Public 2-Year Tuition (In-State) | $4,730 |
|---|---|
| Illinois Public 2-Year Tuition (Out-of-State) | $12,628 |
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 Illinois
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.
Illinois Timeline, Pay & Licensing
- Illinois trade paths often include 6–24 months of training for entry-level roles, and 3–5 year apprenticeships for many skilled trades with required hours and milestones.
- Licensing varies by trade and jurisdiction. Some regulated trades and contractor-level work may require licensing, documented experience, and exams, with local permits/inspections also common—confirm with Illinois and local authorities.
- 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 Illinois
Below is a snapshot of typical wages for popular trades in Illinois. 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 | $25.95 | $1,038 | $4,498 | $53,983 |
| AV Technician | $32.27 | $1,291 | $5,594 | $67,122 |
| Carpenter | $25.28 | $1,011 | $4,382 | $52,582 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $34.83 | $1,393 | $6,037 | $72,446 |
| CNC Machinist | $23.91 | $957 | $4,144 | $49,733 |
| Construction | $25.38 | $1,015 | $4,399 | $52,790 |
| Concrete Finisher | $27.82 | $1,112 | $4,819 | $57,826 |
| Diesel Technician | $28.89 | $1,156 | $5,008 | $60,091 |
| Electrician | $30.60 | $1,224 | $5,304 | $63,648 |
| Heavy Equipment | $24.98 | $974 | $4,221 | $50,648 |
| HVAC Technician | $28.14 | $1,128 | $4,886 | $58,635 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $27.81 | $1,112 | $4,821 | $57,847 |
| Ironworker | $26.49 | $1,059 | $4,590 | $55,083 |
| Lineworker | $41.49 | $1,659 | $7,191 | $86,294 |
| Marine Mechanic | $28.76 | $1,150 | $4,984 | $59,776 |
| Mason | $27.03 | $1,081 | $4,685 | $56,222 |
| Plumber | $32.45 | $1,266 | $5,484 | $65,808 |
| Roofer | $24.30 | $972 | $4,212 | $50,544 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $25.72 | $998 | $4,323 | $51,875 |
| Welder | $24.57 | $985 | $4,266 | $51,196 |
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 Illinois
Entry difficulty: More competitive, with structured entry pathways. Illinois offers strong long-term trade job availability, but entry can be more competitive due to statewide licensing requirements, a significant union presence in major markets, and higher competition in urban areas. Workers who complete formal training often access stable, well-established career paths.
Unlike states where trade employment is driven primarily by residential growth or employer-based hiring, Illinois demand is closely tied to large-scale infrastructure, commercial construction, utilities, and institutional facilities. Ongoing maintenance and modernization of aging buildings and public systems sustain demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, welders, and mechanical trades.
Illinois’s dense population centers and extensive public infrastructure create consistent work, but entry into many trades often requires apprenticeships, classroom instruction, and licensing before independent employment.
What Actually Drives Trade Hiring in Illinois
- Infrastructure and public works: Transportation systems, utilities, and municipal facilities require continuous skilled trade labor.
- Commercial and institutional buildings: Offices, hospitals, and schools rely on licensed trades for maintenance and upgrades.
- Industrial and manufacturing facilities: Plants require electrical, mechanical, and maintenance trades for operations.
- Code and compliance requirements: Strict standards increase demand for credentialed and experienced workers.
Where Trade Jobs Are Concentrated — and Why
- Chicago metro area: The state’s largest employment center, driving demand across construction, utilities, and facilities maintenance.
- Suburban and regional hubs: Manufacturing sites and institutional facilities support steady trade employment.
- Transportation corridors: Rail, freight, and logistics infrastructure sustain mechanical and electrical trade roles.
Infrastructure, Facilities, and Compliance Anchors
Illinois’s trade workforce is supported by permanent infrastructure and institutional needs rather than short-term growth cycles:
- Public infrastructure and utilities — Long-term demand for electrical, mechanical, and civil trades.
- Commercial and institutional facilities — Ongoing maintenance and system upgrades sustain employment.
- Industrial and manufacturing operations — Facility-based maintenance supports skilled trade roles.
How Trade Workers Actually Get Hired in Illinois
Trade jobs in Illinois are commonly accessed through structured training pipelines and contractor hiring:
- Formal apprenticeships: A primary entry path for many licensed trades.
- Trade schools and community colleges: Classroom instruction supports licensing and certification requirements.
- Contractor hiring: Employers typically require documented credentials before independent work.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Opportunities in Illinois
Illinois has a strong union presence in many skilled trades, particularly on large commercial, infrastructure, and public projects. Non-union opportunities also exist, especially in residential and smaller commercial work, but licensing and regulatory requirements apply across both pathways.
| 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; access to prevailing-wage public projects | Direct hiring; project-based mobility varies by contractor |
| Best Fit For | Those seeking structured training and long-term stability | Those prioritizing flexibility and residential/service work |