Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Average Cost of Trade School in Pennsylvania
Most trade programs in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, a mix of older infrastructure and diverse industry can support steady demand for maintenance, electrical, and mechanical trades.
Residency matters: Out-of-state tuition is about $7,598 higher than in-state on average.
| Pennsylvania Public 2-Year Tuition (In-State) | $6,422 |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Public 2-Year Tuition (Out-of-State) | $14,020 |
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 Pennsylvania
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.
Pennsylvania Timeline, Pay & Licensing
- Pennsylvania trade training commonly takes 6–24 months for school-based entry, while apprenticeships often last 3–5 years depending on required hours and classroom instruction.
- Licensing and permitting vary by trade and locality. Contractor-level work and regulated trades may require licensing and exams, and local permits/inspections are common—confirm requirements in your area.
- 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 Pennsylvania
Below is a snapshot of typical wages for popular trades in Pennsylvania. 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 | $26.82 | $1,073 | $4,651 | $55,766 |
| AV Technician | $33.35 | $1,334 | $5,781 | $69,368 |
| Carpenter | $26.12 | $1,045 | $4,528 | $54,330 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $36.00 | $1,440 | $6,240 | $74,880 |
| CNC Machinist | $24.70 | $988 | $4,281 | $51,376 |
| Construction | $26.22 | $1,049 | $4,545 | $54,538 |
| Concrete Finisher | $28.75 | $1,150 | $4,983 | $59,800 |
| Diesel Technician | $29.84 | $1,194 | $5,172 | $62,067 |
| Electrician | $31.59 | $1,264 | $5,476 | $65,707 |
| Heavy Equipment | $25.77 | $1,011 | $4,380 | $52,561 |
| HVAC Technician | $29.08 | $1,165 | $5,049 | $60,590 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $28.74 | $1,150 | $4,983 | $59,792 |
| Ironworker | $27.39 | $1,095 | $4,745 | $56,944 |
| Lineworker | $42.90 | $1,716 | $7,436 | $89,228 |
| Marine Mechanic | $29.71 | $1,188 | $5,149 | $61,802 |
| Mason | $27.92 | $1,117 | $4,839 | $58,074 |
| Plumber | $33.46 | $1,312 | $5,686 | $68,237 |
| Roofer | $25.00 | $1,000 | $4,333 | $52,000 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $26.47 | $1,032 | $4,473 | $53,675 |
| Welder | $25.31 | $1,007 | $4,364 | $52,371 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
Why Pennsylvania Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Pennsylvania has one of the deepest skilled-trade labor markets in the country, driven by aging infrastructure, dense urban construction, healthcare systems, utilities, and legacy manufacturing. The state’s older building stock and continued public investment create steady demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, pipefitters, welders, and maintenance trades across multiple sectors.
Looking for ways to fund your education? Check out scholarships available for Pennsylvania students and explore more financial aid resources at CollegeWhale.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Philadelphia metro: Large-scale commercial construction, healthcare facilities, universities, and public infrastructure projects drive continuous demand for licensed trades.
- Pittsburgh: Industrial redevelopment, utilities, healthcare systems, and advanced manufacturing support electrical, mechanical, and pipe trades.
- Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton: Warehouse development, logistics facilities, and manufacturing maintenance work.
- Statewide: Aging residential and municipal infrastructure keeps service and retrofit trades consistently busy.
Major Employers and Contractors in Pennsylvania
Tradespeople in Pennsylvania often work with long-established contractors, utilities, and institutional employers, including:
- Turner Construction (Pennsylvania operations) — Commercial, healthcare, and institutional projects.
- UPMC — Healthcare facilities requiring ongoing electrical, HVAC, and mechanical maintenance.
- PECO Energy Company — Utility infrastructure and electrical system work across eastern Pennsylvania.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the most union-dense states in the country for construction and mechanical trades. Union labor dominates large commercial, healthcare, institutional, and public works projects, particularly in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Non-union work remains more common in residential construction and smaller private projects.
Union Apprenticeships in Pennsylvania
Union apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania are highly structured and often tied directly to large employers, prevailing-wage projects, and long-term career pipelines:
- IBEW Local 98 — Philadelphia-area electricians supporting commercial, transit, and institutional projects.
- IBEW Local 5 — Pittsburgh electrical apprenticeships tied to utilities and industrial construction.
- UA Local 690 — Plumbers and pipefitters serving eastern Pennsylvania industrial and municipal systems.
- UA Local 449 — Pipefitting and HVAC apprenticeships in western Pennsylvania.
- SMART Local 12 — Sheet metal fabrication and HVAC-related training across the Philadelphia region.
Non-Union and Open-Shop Trade Routes
Non-union pathways are common in residential construction, service trades, and suburban or rural markets. Many non-union contractors hire directly from trade schools or through employer-run training programs, particularly for HVAC service, residential electrical, and plumbing work.
Some tradespeople in Pennsylvania move between union and non-union work during their careers depending on project type, location, and specialization.
| Factor | Union Apprenticeships | Non-Union / Open-Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Training Structure | Highly structured, multi-year apprenticeships | Employer-led or trade school-based training |
| Pay Progression | Negotiated wage scales with defined steps | Performance-based or employer-defined raises |
| Benefits | Pension, healthcare, and retirement plans | Varies widely; often limited in smaller firms |
| Project Types | Healthcare, infrastructure, public works, large commercial | Residential, service work, small commercial projects |
| Best Fit For | Those targeting long-term institutional or infrastructure careers | Those prioritizing flexibility or localized service work |