Select a program of interest to explore trade schools that match your goals.
Here are the best schools in Avon Park. This guide compares accredited programs, program lengths, and local licensing steps. It also shows which trades are growing and how to qualify for a license or certification in Florida12.
Below are accredited options in and near Highlands County. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm start dates and schedules with the school2.
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, maintain, and repair electrical systems. Demand stays strong as homes and solar projects grow in Central Florida. Training usually starts with a certificate or an apprenticeship, then a local journeyman card, and later a state contractor license if you want to run jobs and pull permits1.
HVAC/R Florida’s heat keeps HVAC techs busy all year. Technicians service cooling, heat pumps, and refrigeration. Many start with a 9-12 month certificate and pass EPA 608. Experienced techs move into supervising, controls, or become state-licensed contractors13.
Welding Welders work in fabrication, construction, marine, and utilities. Certificates can be finished in under a year. Employers value AWS code tests and NCCER credentials. Pay rises with process skill (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW) and code qualifications1.
Plumbing Plumbers install and repair water, drain, and gas systems. Florida uses a mix of local journeyman cards and state contractor licensing. Demand is driven by steady residential and commercial building across the region1.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these trades offer stable employment and opportunities to advance with experience and credentials1.
| 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.
Here are the typical steps and boards for the trades most students in Avon Park pursue. Always check the latest requirements before you apply or test.
Electrician (DBPR - Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)
HVAC (DBPR - Construction Industry Licensing Board)
Plumbing (DBPR - Construction Industry Licensing Board)
Welding
Nursing and EMS
Not sure which format fits your schedule? Talk with admissions about lab availability, externships, and employer partnerships in Highlands and neighboring counties. College Navigator profiles can confirm accreditation and program approvals before you enroll2.
Visit campuses, ask about licensure pass rates, career placement, and lab time. Individual outcomes may vary. Bring a checklist of certifications you need for your target job. Then choose the program that fits your timeline and career goals.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook and OEWS data, accessed 2025. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator profiles for listed schools and accreditation details, accessed 2025. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification requirements for refrigerants, accessed 2025. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and Construction Industry Licensing Board requirements, accessed 2025. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Florida Board of Nursing and Florida Department of Health (EMS), licensure and certification steps, accessed 2025. ↩︎
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/.
