New Jersey Trade Schools and Apprenticeships
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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 New Jersey
Average Cost of Trade School in New Jersey
Most trade programs in New Jersey 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 New Jersey, dense infrastructure and commercial facilities can support steady demand for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and maintenance trades.
Residency matters: Out-of-state tuition is about $3,867 higher than in-state on average.
| New Jersey Public 2-Year Tuition (In-State) | $5,444 |
|---|---|
| New Jersey Public 2-Year Tuition (Out-of-State) | $9,311 |
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 New Jersey
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.
New Jersey Timeline, Pay & Licensing
- New Jersey trade training commonly ranges from 6–24 months for entry-level schooling, while apprenticeships often last 3–5 years with paid work and defined training milestones.
- Licensing can be trade- and scope-specific, especially for contracting and regulated trades. Local permits and inspections frequently apply—confirm with New Jersey 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—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 New Jersey
Below is a snapshot of typical wages for popular trades in New Jersey. 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 | $27.16 | $1,086 | $4,710 | $56,515 |
| AV Technician | $33.77 | $1,352 | $5,857 | $70,282 |
| Carpenter | $26.44 | $1,058 | $4,583 | $54,995 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $36.45 | $1,458 | $6,318 | $75,816 |
| CNC Machinist | $25.01 | $1,000 | $4,335 | $52,021 |
| Construction | $26.54 | $1,062 | $4,600 | $55,203 |
| Concrete Finisher | $29.10 | $1,164 | $5,044 | $60,528 |
| Diesel Technician | $30.20 | $1,208 | $5,235 | $62,816 |
| Electrician | $31.96 | $1,278 | $5,539 | $66,477 |
| Heavy Equipment | $26.08 | $1,027 | $4,446 | $53,358 |
| HVAC Technician | $29.44 | $1,178 | $5,106 | $61,274 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $29.10 | $1,164 | $5,045 | $60,541 |
| Ironworker | $27.73 | $1,110 | $4,807 | $57,686 |
| Lineworker | $43.44 | $1,738 | $7,530 | $90,357 |
| Marine Mechanic | $30.08 | $1,203 | $5,213 | $62,567 |
| Mason | $28.27 | $1,131 | $4,900 | $58,802 |
| Plumber | $33.86 | $1,333 | $5,775 | $69,303 |
| Roofer | $25.27 | $1,011 | $4,380 | $52,562 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $26.76 | $1,045 | $4,529 | $54,353 |
| Welder | $25.60 | $1,018 | $4,409 | $52,912 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
Why New Jersey Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
New Jersey is a high-demand trade state because it packs major infrastructure, dense housing, ports, and industrial facilities into a small footprint. Between constant commercial build-outs, year-round service work, transit projects, and coastal resiliency upgrades, the state consistently needs electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, ironworkers, welders, and construction crews—especially in North Jersey and along the I-95 corridor.
Looking for ways to fund your education? Check out scholarships available for New Jersey students and explore more financial aid resources at CollegeWhale.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- North Jersey / Newark–Jersey City corridor: Commercial construction, high-rise work, transit upgrades, and constant service demand keep electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection trades busy.
- Port + warehouse belt: Port Newark–Elizabeth and the surrounding logistics/warehouse buildout drives electrical, low-voltage, HVAC, sprinkler/pipefitting, and industrial maintenance work.
- Central Jersey: Healthcare, education, and large mixed-use projects support steady mechanical and electrical demand.
- Shore and flood-resiliency work: Coastal weather drives ongoing repair, elevation, retrofit, and storm-hardening work—plus heavy HVAC replacement cycles.
Major Employers and Contractors in New Jersey
Because New Jersey is a hub for port/logistics, utilities, and large institutional projects, tradespeople commonly run into major contractors and employers like:
- PSE&G — Utility infrastructure work and long-term demand for electrical and line-related trades (including contractor networks).
- Turner Construction — Large commercial and institutional projects in NJ metros and the NYC/NJ market.
- Skanska — Major infrastructure and complex commercial projects in the region.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in New Jersey
New Jersey offers strong union apprenticeship pipelines—especially for large commercial, infrastructure, transit, and industrial work—while non-union routes are common in residential construction and service trades. The best path depends on whether you want structured training and negotiated benefits, or faster entry and flexibility with a specific employer.
Union Apprenticeships in New Jersey
Union programs are a major advantage in New Jersey because they connect directly to high-value project types (commercial builds, refits, industrial facilities, transit, and major public works). Common union pathways include:
- IBEW Local 102 — Major electrical local serving a large portion of NJ (and parts of the region), tied into commercial/industrial demand.
- IBEW Local 164 — Northern NJ electrical work with strong commercial/industrial presence.
- UA Local 24 — Plumbers/pipefitters/HVAC-related training tied to large mechanical work in NJ.
- SMART Local 25 — Sheet metal/HVAC fabrication and installation pathways serving NJ/NYC market work.
- New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters — Carpenters apprenticeship network supporting commercial and heavy construction across NJ.
Non-Union and Open-Shop Trade Routes
Non-union work is widespread in New Jersey—especially residential HVAC, plumbing service, remodels, and smaller commercial work. Many contractors hire helpers and entry-level techs quickly, then build skills through manufacturer training, field mentorship, and certifications (EPA 608 for HVAC, OSHA 10/30, welding certs, etc.).
In New Jersey, union paths tend to dominate the biggest commercial/infrastructure projects and offer clearer long-term benefits, while non-union routes can be a faster on-ramp into service work and residential construction.
| Factor | Union Apprenticeships | Non-Union / Open-Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Training Structure | Formal apprenticeship + classroom + jobsite rotations | Employer-driven training; varies by contractor and trade |
| Pay Progression | Defined wage steps with scheduled increases | Merit/experience-based; depends on employer |
| Benefits | Typically stronger health/retirement packages | Depends on employer; can be limited in smaller shops |
| Project Types | Large commercial, industrial, transit/infrastructure, port-area work | Residential, service work, smaller commercial projects |
| Best Fit For | People who want structure, benefits, and big-project access | People who want flexibility and quicker entry |