Kentucky Trade Schools and Apprenticeships
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Showing all schools and apprenticeships in Kentucky.
We only list Accredited Schools and U.S. Department of Labor–registered Apprenticeships. Programs cannot pay to be featured.
Top Apprenticeship Programs in Kentucky
Explore the most trusted Apprenticeship programs available in Kentucky.
Dauenhauer Plumbing Heating Air & Electric is hiring full-time Plumbing Apprentices to support residential and light commercial service work throughout the Louisville, Kentucky area.
Leading Automotive Programs in Kentucky
Discover top-rated Automotive training options available in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) is the largest provider of workforce and technical education in the state, offering more than 100 career-focused programs across its network of 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) is one of Kentucky’s leading institutions for hands-on technical education, offering a wide range of programs designed to prepare students for skilled trade careers in high-demand industries.
Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College (SKYCTC) is a leading provider of technical and workforce training in south-central Kentucky, offering a wide range of skilled trade programs designed to prepare students for immediate employment in high-demand fields.
The College for Technical Education (CTE) in Lexington, Kentucky is a long-established institution offering hands-on, career-focused training designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the skilled trades.
Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College (formerly Bowling Green Technical College) offers specialized training programs in Automotive Technology, Carpentry, HVAC, and Welding.
Jefferson Community & Technical College (JCTC) in Louisville is one of Kentucky’s leading institutions for hands-on workforce training, offering a robust selection of trade and technical programs geared toward students who want to enter high-demand industries.
Top Carpentry Programs in Kentucky
Explore the most trusted Carpentry programs available in Kentucky.
Southside Technical Center is one of Lexington’s primary career and technical training institutions, offering high-quality, hands-on education for students preparing to enter skilled trades throughout Kentucky.
Leading Construction Programs in Kentucky
Discover top-rated Construction training options available in Kentucky.
Maysville Community & Technical College (MCTC) offers a comprehensive lineup of skilled trade and technical programs designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce.
Interactive College of Technology (ICT) in Newport offers specialized career training in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Electrical Technologies.
Top Electrician Programs in Kentucky
Explore the most trusted Electrician programs available in Kentucky.
Ross Medical Education Center provides career-focused training across multiple Kentucky campuses, offering programs designed to help students develop both technical and professional skills for today’s workforce.
Leading Welding Programs in Kentucky
Discover top-rated Welding training options available in Kentucky.
Kentucky Welding Institute (KWI) is one of the most specialized and intensive welding training centers in the United States, known for its high job-placement rates, rigorous hands-on curriculum, and industry-focused instruction.
Cost & Timeline to a Trade Career in Kentucky
Average Cost of Trade School in Kentucky
Paying for trade school in Kentucky often reflects the state’s manufacturing and logistics footprint. Programs connected to these industries may offer employer-sponsored training or workforce funding that helps offset costs. Residency matters: Out-of-state tuition is about $11,952 higher than in-state on average.
| Kentucky Public 2-Year Tuition (In-State) | $5,051 |
|---|---|
| Kentucky Public 2-Year Tuition (Out-of-State) | $17,003 |
What this usually does not include: Tools/PPE, books, lab fees, certification exams, travel, and program-specific supply costs.
Average Cost of Apprenticeship in Kentucky
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 Kentucky
Trade school costs vary widely by program and location, which is why many students rely on more than one source of help. Scholarships, workforce grants, and employer support are often used together. The goal is usually to keep borrowing as low as possible.
If private loans are needed, it’s worth reviewing rates and terms side by side: Compare private student loan rates
Kentucky Timeline, Pay & Licensing
- Kentucky trade training can be as short as 6–18 months for entry-level credentials, while apprenticeships typically run 3–5 years depending on the occupation and required hours.
- Licensing rules vary by trade and location. Some regulated trades may require documented experience and exams, while permitting is often local—confirm with Kentucky licensing resources and your city/county.
- 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 Kentucky
Below is a snapshot of typical pay (salary) for popular trades in Kentucky. 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 | $23.32 | $933 | $4,043 | $48,526 |
| AV Technician | $29.03 | $1,161 | $5,032 | $60,382 |
| Carpenter | $22.76 | $910 | $3,945 | $47,341 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $31.29 | $1,252 | $5,424 | $65,083 |
| CNC Machinist | $21.54 | $861 | $3,732 | $44,787 |
| Construction | $22.85 | $915 | $3,967 | $47,598 |
| Concrete Finisher | $25.04 | $1,002 | $4,340 | $52,083 |
| Diesel Technician | $26.05 | $1,042 | $4,515 | $54,184 |
| Electrician | $27.63 | $1,105 | $4,789 | $57,470 |
| Heavy Equipment | $22.60 | $866 | $3,754 | $45,048 |
| HVAC Technician | $25.30 | $1,010 | $4,378 | $52,541 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $25.00 | $1,016 | $4,401 | $52,808 |
| Ironworker | $23.70 | $947 | $4,107 | $49,284 |
| Lineworker | $37.24 | $1,490 | $6,455 | $77,459 |
| Marine Mechanic | $25.89 | $1,036 | $4,487 | $53,783 |
| Mason | $24.33 | $973 | $4,218 | $50,613 |
| Plumber | $29.40 | $1,128 | $4,884 | $58,612 |
| Roofer | $22.20 | $888 | $3,848 | $46,176 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $23.47 | $881 | $3,815 | $45,777 |
| Welder | $22.33 | $871 | $3,776 | $45,306 |
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 Kentucky
Entry difficulty: Moderate, shaped by manufacturing and logistics demand. Kentucky offers accessible entry into many skilled trades due to its large manufacturing footprint, central role in regional logistics, and employer-led training culture. While some licensed trades require formal credentials, many industrial and maintenance roles allow workers to enter through direct plant or facility hiring.
Rather than being driven by residential construction cycles, Kentucky’s trade demand is tied to year-round manufacturing, distribution, and industrial operations. Automotive assembly plants, appliance manufacturers, distribution hubs, utilities, and food processing facilities operate continuously, creating steady need for electricians, industrial mechanics, welders, HVAC technicians, and maintenance trades regardless of housing market conditions.
Because many of these employers train workers internally and operate outside high-cost metros, Kentucky’s lower cost of living makes it easier for entry-level workers to gain experience without relocating or taking on significant upfront education costs.
What Actually Drives Trade Hiring in Kentucky
- Industrial maintenance over residential builds: Manufacturing and distribution facilities rely on in-house electrical and mechanical teams to keep operations running.
- Employer-based training pipelines: Many manufacturers hire entry-level workers and promote from within through structured on-the-job training.
- Automotive and advanced manufacturing: Large-scale plants require skilled trades for equipment maintenance, retrofits, and compliance-driven upgrades.
- Logistics and distribution infrastructure: Freight hubs, warehouses, and river-adjacent facilities depend on electricians, mechanics, and facility maintenance trades.
Where Trade Jobs Are Concentrated — and Why
- Louisville metro area: Major logistics operations, healthcare systems, and utilities create consistent demand for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and maintenance trades.
- Northern Kentucky: Manufacturing and distribution facilities tied to regional supply chains support steady industrial trade hiring.
- Statewide manufacturing corridors: Automotive, appliance, and industrial plants across Kentucky sustain long-term demand for skilled maintenance roles.
Manufacturing and Infrastructure Anchors
Rather than relying on short-term construction booms, Kentucky’s trade workforce is supported by permanent manufacturing and logistics facilities that operate year-round:
- Automotive and advanced manufacturing plants — Continuous need for industrial electricians, maintenance technicians, and mechanical trades.
- Distribution and logistics hubs — Facility maintenance and equipment repair support uninterrupted operations.
- Utilities and industrial infrastructure — Skilled trades maintain power, water, and facility systems.
How Trade Workers Actually Get Hired in Kentucky
In Kentucky, trade jobs are most commonly secured through employer hiring tied directly to manufacturing and distribution operations:
- Direct plant and facility hiring: Manufacturing and logistics employers frequently bring on entry-level workers and train them internally.
- Technical college pipelines: Community and technical programs often feed graduates into industrial maintenance and mechanical roles.
- Registered apprenticeships: Used most often in electrical, mechanical, and industrial trades, particularly in manufacturing-heavy regions.