Here are the best schools in Belleair Bluffs. This list focuses on accredited, hands‑on programs close to Largo and Clearwater. You will also find Florida licensing steps and high‑demand trades so you can move from training to a stable job fast. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers all show steady demand and strong earning potential in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area1.
Compare Trade Schools Near Belleair Bluffs, Florida
The schools below are within a short drive of Belleair Bluffs. Program lengths are typical full‑time timelines. Always confirm start dates and schedules with the school.
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
#1
St Petersburg College
📍
St. Petersburg, FL
•14.7 miles away•BOC Score
74.6
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 - Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, 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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Trade
Median annual wage
Culinary workers
$58,240
Medical assistants
$44,480
Phlebotomy technicians
$39,220
Nursing assistants
$37,470
Patient care technicians
$37,470
Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Trade Schools in Belleair Bluffs, 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 Belleair Bluffs, Florida (2026 Guide)
School
Median graduate earnings
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay
$68,902
St Petersburg College
$54,088
Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater
$41,457
Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg
$40,318
Ultimate Medical Academy
$30,561
American Institute of Beauty
$25,632
Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Belleair Bluffs
Among the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $37,470 to $58,240 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025); the chart above compares the five with the largest local workforces. Typical medical assistant training runs 9-12 months (certificate or diploma) (TradeCareerPath program data).
Electricians install and maintain wiring, breakers, and controls in homes and businesses. Work is steady with construction and service calls year‑round. National projections show continued growth and solid wages1. In the Tampa Bay metro, contractors hire graduates for helper and apprentice roles so you can earn while you learn.
HVAC/R Technician
HVAC techs service air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Florida’s climate drives demand for installation and maintenance. Employers value graduates with EPA 608 certification and strong troubleshooting skills. Job prospects remain stable nationally and in the region1.
Welder
Welders join and repair metal components for construction, manufacturing, and marine work. The Tampa Bay area has fabrication shops and contractors that hire entry‑level welders who hold AWS process qualifications. National employment is steady, and overtime is common on project work1.
Plumber
Plumbers install and service water, drain, and gas systems. Work includes new construction, remodels, and service calls. Florida contractors recruit helpers and apprentices from local technical colleges. Employment remains steady nationwide with strong pay for licensed contractors1.
Explore trade overviews, training paths, and career data:
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.
To work as an employee: Many electricians work under a licensed electrical contractor without holding a state license. Some jurisdictions may recognize journeyman certification; check local authority.
To run your own business or advertise services statewide: Obtain a Certified Electrical Contractor license.
Typical steps:
4 years of verifiable experience or a mix of education and experience.
Pass the Florida electrical trade and business/finance exams.
Submit application to DBPR with experience verification, background check, credit/financial responsibility, and required insurance.
Maintain continuing education to renew.
HVAC/R (Air Conditioning) Contractor
Oversight: Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)3; EPA Section 608 for refrigerants4.
License classes:
Class A Air Conditioning Contractor: work on any size system statewide.
Class B Air Conditioning Contractor: limited to systems under 25 tons cooling and 500,000 BTU/h heating.
Typical steps:
4 years of experience (education may substitute for part).
Pass trade and business/finance exams.
Meet financial responsibility, background, and insurance requirements.
Hold EPA 608 certification before handling refrigerants.
To contract statewide as a business owner: Certified Plumbing Contractor license required.
Typical steps:
4 years of experience or approved apprenticeship + experience mix.
Pass plumbing trade and business/finance exams.
Provide financials, background check, and proof of insurance.
Many entry‑level roles are apprentice/helper under a licensed contractor while you build hours.
Welder
Oversight: No state welding license in Florida.
Employers and local authorities often require AWS certifications aligned to the work (e.g., AWS D1.1 structural steel).
Typical steps:
Complete a welding program covering SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW.
Pass employer or third‑party performance tests for the specific processes and positions.
Renew or requalify per code or employer policy.
Helpful links:
Florida state hub: /trade-school/florida/
Trade hub: /trades/
Online & Flexible Options
Hybrid learning: Many local schools deliver theory online with required, in‑person labs for shop skills. Ask about evening or weekend cohorts at Pinellas Technical College and Southern Technical College.
Short stackable credentials: HVAC programs often prepare you for OSHA 10, EPA 608, and manufacturer trainings that stack toward employment.
Apprenticeships: Combine paid work with classroom training. Local electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors sponsor apprentices who attend related instruction at night. Check contractor associations and union JATCs in the Tampa Bay area.
Test‑ready training: If you plan to contract, choose programs that include business math, code, and exam prep aligned with Florida DBPR exams.
Next Steps
Compare programs and request campus tours on our Florida hub: /trade-school/florida/
Explore more trade schools nationwide: /trade-school/
If you already know your trade, contact 2-3 schools on this list. Ask about upcoming start dates, required tools, evening schedules, and employer partners. If you plan to open your own shop later, map your path to the Florida contractor license now so your training lines up with experience and exam requirements.
Sources
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/.
References
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment data for Electricians, HVAC Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and https://www.bls.gov/oes/↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎
