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.
Compare Trade Schools Near Archer, Florida
Most programs are within a short drive in Gainesville, Ocala, Starke, and Lake City. All schools below are accredited or state-approved5.
We could not confirm enough colleges teaching this subject within range of this
location, so the list below shows nearby institutions instead. Confirm with each
school that it offers the program before you apply.
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 6 schools, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
6 of them carry a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Florida.
Schools closest to the main population center in Florida are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Florida is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Annual Wage by Trade - Gainesville, FL's most-employed tradesTrades ranked by local employment (BLS QCEW); wages are median annual pay (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; metro area where reported, otherwise statewide).
Median annual wage by trade in Gainesville, FL
Trade
Median annual wage
HVAC technicians
$55,670
Plumbers
$51,600
Culinary workers
$47,380
Dental assistants
$46,340
Medical assistants
$39,100
Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Trade Schools in Archer, Florida (2026 Guide)Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Trade Schools in Archer, Florida (2026 Guide)
School
Median graduate earnings
Santa Fe College
$53,155
Florida Gateway College
$49,676
Marion Technical College
$38,674
Florida School of Massage
$27,897
Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Archer
Among the Gainesville, FL area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $39,100 to $55,670 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025); the chart above compares the five with the largest local workforces. Published tuition across the trade-relevant schools serving Archer ranges from $2,710 to $18,424 per year (IPEDS and College Scorecard); schools that do not publish a rate are marked “Contact school for pricing” in the table below. Typical culinary worker training runs 1-2 years (culinary school or apprenticeship) (TradeCareerPath program data).
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.
Job growth uses state projections when available and national projections (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034) when state data is unavailable. Median pay for each trade is shown in the comparison table above.
Florida licenses contractors at the state level and often manages journeyman cards locally. Here are the basics:
Electrician
Work under a licensed electrical contractor while you train. Apprenticeship (e.g., JATC) is the fastest route to journeyman-level skill5.
Many counties issue journeyman licenses; check local requirements before testing.
To run your own business statewide, apply for Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) through the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB) at DBPR. Requirements include verified experience, passing the technical and business exams, financial responsibility, and insurance6.
Keep current on National Electrical Code updates.
HVAC (Air Conditioning)
Entry-level techs can start with a postsecondary certificate and on-the-job training. EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerants7.
To contract work statewide, you need a Certified Class A (unlimited) or Class B (light commercial) Air Conditioning Contractor license via the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) at DBPR. This requires experience, exams, and insurance8.
Many employers also value NATE or manufacturer-specific credentials.
Plumbing
Train through a school or apprenticeship and work under a licensed plumbing contractor.
Counties may offer journeyman plumber licensing; verify local rules.
To operate statewide, obtain a Certified Plumbing Contractor license through DBPR’s CILB. Experience, exam passage, financial responsibility, and insurance are required8.
Welding
Florida does not issue a state welding license. Employers typically require performance qualifications to AWS codes (such as D1.1 Structural Steel). Schools often provide AWS or NCCER performance testing opportunities9.
Maintain your qualifications and keep procedure records current.
Massage Therapy (optional local pathway)
Complete an approved massage program and pass the MBLEx, then apply to the Florida Board of Massage Therapy for licensure10.
Apprenticeship
Florida supports registered apprenticeships across many trades. Apprentices earn wages while accruing classroom hours and documented on-the-job experience11.
Online & Flexible Options
Hybrid learning: Many public colleges in Gainesville, Ocala, and the region offer hybrid schedules. General education and some theory courses are online. Labs and competencies are completed on campus.
Evening programs: Technical colleges often run evening Electricity, Welding, and HVAC courses to fit work schedules.
Apprenticeships: JATC electrical classes are typically held in the evenings with paid daytime work on job sites.
Certification prep: Online prep is common for OSHA-10/30, EPA 608, and trade exam reviews. Schools or apprenticeship programs will guide you to approved providers.
Credit for experience: Some colleges award credit toward certificates based on industry certifications (NCCER, OSHA, AWS) or prior learning assessments.
Next Steps
Compare programs and get your questions ready: format, start dates, certifications, and employer partners.
Map your licensing path for Florida before you enroll.
Outcome figures such as graduation, completion, and job placement rates are reported by schools and by federal data sources, reflect prior student cohorts, and are not a prediction or promise of future results. Individual outcomes may vary.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
