Select a program of interest to explore trade schools that match your goals.
Here are the best schools in Archer. This guide shows accredited options nearby, program lengths, and the Florida licensing steps you must follow. It’s built for high school grads and career changers. Demand for skilled trades remains strong across Florida, especially in construction and building services1234.
Most programs are within a short drive in Gainesville, Ocala, Starke, and Lake City. All schools below are accredited or state-approved5.
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Electrician Electricians install and maintain power, lighting, and controls in homes, businesses, and industrial sites. Projects in North Central Florida keep steady demand for skilled wiremen, especially those with apprenticeship experience and safety credentials1. Many electricians progress into foreman roles, estimating, or electrical contracting.
HVAC Technician HVAC techs service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems in homes, hospitals, and labs. Florida’s long cooling season creates steady work in install, service, and preventive maintenance. EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerants is a must-have, and technicians with controls or commercial refrigeration skills stand out2.
Welder Welders build and repair structures, piping, and equipment for construction, manufacturing, and utilities. Common employer requirements include AWS code tests, multi-process skills (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW), and ability to read prints. Field welders often earn overtime on shutdowns and new builds4.
Plumber Plumbers install and repair water, waste, and gas systems. In Florida, experienced plumbers often advance into contracting, service management, or specialty piping. Code knowledge and backflow, medical gas, or welding endorsements boost employability3.
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring Installer | $56,326 | 9.5% |
| Plumber | $52,910 | 4.5% |
| Welder | $50,640 | 2.2% |
| Carpenter | $49,870 | 4.5% |
| Construction Worker | $44,030 | 7.3% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | $113,130 | 8.7% |
| Home Inspector | $68,170 | -0.8% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Lineworker | $86,870 | 6.6% |
| Wind Turbine Technician | $64,120 | 49.9% |
| Tower Technician | $60,140 | 8.6% |
| Electrician | $57,250 | 9.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,670 | 8.1% |
| Solar Installer | $50,550 | 42.1% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic (A&P) | $76,940 | 4.0% |
| Diesel Technician | $60,490 | 2.4% |
| Gunsmith | $59,310 | 2.0% |
| CNC Machinist | $57,140 | 0.0% |
| Truck Driver (CDL) | $50,640 | 4.0% |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $49,400 | 3.6% |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,260 | 4.2% |
| Automotive Technician | $48,260 | 4.2% |
| Maintenance Technician | $46,060 | 3.8% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $61,770 | 2.6% |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $61,770 | 2.6% |
| Hemodialysis Technician | $45,760 | 5.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,680 | 12.5% |
| Mental Health Technician | $43,570 | 20.0% |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $37,510 | 2.3% |
| Patient Care Technician | $37,510 | 2.3% |
| Home Health Aide | $33,800 | 17.0% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,940 | 13.0% |
| EKG Technician | $77,140 | 3.0% |
| Radiologic Technologist | $76,750 | 4.3% |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,440 | 4.5% |
| Optician | $58,850 | 2.9% |
| Dental Assistant | $47,620 | 6.4% |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $45,890 | 10.0% |
| Pharmacy Technician | $43,590 | 6.4% |
| Phlebotomy Technician | $40,230 | 5.6% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Billing & Coding Specialist | $45,760 | 7.1% |
| Medical Office Administrator | $41,730 | 4.2% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,630 | 19.2% |
| Massage Therapist | $49,680 | 15.4% |
| Personal Trainer | $38,800 | 11.9% |
| Physical Therapy Aide | $35,140 | 2.8% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technician | $46,380 | 9.1% |
| Veterinary Assistant | $37,830 | 8.7% |
| Dog Trainer | $36,870 | 5.1% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Esthetician | $43,880 | 6.7% |
| Beauty Professional | $29,530 | 5.6% |
| Cosmetologist | $29,530 | 5.6% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary Chef | $39,604 | 7.1% |
| Pastry Chef | $39,604 | 7.1% |
| Trade | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034, US) |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegal | $61,000 | 0.2% |
| Bookkeeper | $49,330 | -5.8% |
| Digital Court Reporter | $49,240 | -0.3% |
Median salaries reflect the latest OEWS release; job growth uses state projections when available and national projections when state data is unavailable.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. State data (Florida) shown where available; national OEWS values used when state data is unavailable. Job growth reflects projected U.S. change for each trade.
Florida licenses contractors at the state level and often manages journeyman cards locally. Here are the basics:
Electrician
HVAC (Air Conditioning)
Plumbing
Welding
Massage Therapy (optional local pathway)
Apprenticeship
Footnotes and sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Electricians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/hvac-technicians.htm ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm ↩︎ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (verify accreditation and programs). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Florida DBPR. Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB). https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/electrical-contractors/ ↩︎
U.S. EPA. Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩︎
Florida DBPR. Construction Industry Licensing Board (Air Conditioning and Plumbing). https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/ ↩︎ ↩︎
American Welding Society. Welder Certification. https://www.aws.org/certification/page/welder-certification ↩︎
Florida Department of Health. Board of Massage Therapy, Licensing. https://floridasmassagetherapy.gov/licensing/ ↩︎
Florida Department of Education. Apprenticeship Programs. https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/apprenticeship-programs.stml ↩︎
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
