Here are the best schools in Bradenton Beach. This page ranks nearby accredited trade schools, shows program lengths, and explains Florida licensing so you can start a skilled career fast. Demand for electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers stays strong across Florida1. Use this guide to compare programs near Bradenton Beach and plan your next step.
Compare Trade Schools Near Bradenton Beach, Florida
Below are accredited schools within a practical commute of Bradenton Beach. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each campus for current start dates and schedules2.
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
•20.3 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 - North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, 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 North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL
Trade
Median annual wage
Culinary workers
$60,180
HVAC technicians
$59,070
Plumbers
$58,150
Dental assistants
$48,190
Medical assistants
$45,620
Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Trade Schools in Bradenton Beach, 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 Bradenton Beach, Florida (2026 Guide)
School
Median graduate earnings
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
$55,922
St Petersburg College
$54,088
Manatee Technical College
$45,049
Meridian College
$41,872
Suncoast Technical College
$40,433
Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg
$40,318
Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Bradenton Beach
Among the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $45,620 to $60,180 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025); the chart above compares the five with the largest local workforces. Typical culinary worker training runs 1-2 years (culinary school or apprenticeship) (TradeCareerPath program data).
Electrician
Electricians support residential and commercial growth across Manatee and Sarasota counties. Work includes installs, service calls, and solar tie-ins. Florida employers value grads who can read blueprints, bend conduit, and work safely. BLS data shows steady demand and solid wages statewide1. See paths and certifications on our electrician hub: /trades/electrician.
HVAC/R Technician
Coastal heat and humidity keep HVAC techs busy year-round with installs and service. Training should cover electrical, refrigeration cycles, airflow, and EPA 608 certification prep. HVAC roles have consistent demand in Florida, including the Bradenton-Sarasota market1. Learn about the trade: /trades/hvac.
Welder
Welders support marine, construction, fabrication, and infrastructure projects in the Tampa Bay region. Programs that teach SMAW, GMAW, GTAW and provide plate and pipe practice help you qualify for common shop tests. Many employers seek AWS-code capable welders. Explore welding careers: /trades/welding.
Plumber
Plumbers handle water, waste, and gas systems in homes and commercial sites. Training covers code, blueprint reading, and installs. Florida has ongoing construction and renovation activity that supports stable job prospects1. Start here: /trades/plumbing.
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.
Most construction trades are licensed at the state level for contractors through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Entry roles often start as helpers or apprentices. Here are the basics:
Electrician
Entry: Work as an electrical helper or apprentice to gain hours.
Contractor license: Florida Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board issues Certified (statewide) and Registered (local) contractor licenses. Requirements include verified experience, passing trade and business exams, background check, and insurance3.
Local journeyman cards: Some counties and municipalities issue journeyman licenses. Check local building departments.
Entry: Complete an HVAC program and earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants4.
Contractor license: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board issues Class A (unlimited) and Class B (limited to 25 tons cooling and 500,000 BTU heating) Air Conditioning Contractor licenses. Requires experience, trade and business exams, and insurance5.
Many techs work under a licensed contractor while building hours.
Plumbing
Entry: Start as a plumbing helper or registered apprentice.
Contractor license: Plumbing contractors are licensed by the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board. Requires documented experience, exams, and insurance5.
Local journeyman licensing may apply. Verify with your county.
Welding
Florida does not have a state welder license. Employers often require passing an employer or AWS code test. NCCER credentials are widely recognized across Florida job sites6.
Cosmetology and Massage
Cosmetology: Florida DBPR Board of Cosmetology requires 1200 hours in an approved program and passing the state exam for licensure7.
Massage Therapy: Florida Board of Massage Therapy requires an approved program of at least 500 hours, passing the MBLEx, and background screening8.
Always confirm current rules with DBPR and the relevant state board before you test or apply.
Online & Flexible Options
If you need a flexible schedule, you have options near Bradenton Beach:
Hybrid learning: Many technical colleges deliver theory online with hands-on labs on campus. Expect set lab days each week for HVAC, electricity, welding, and plumbing.
Evening and accelerated cohorts: Public technical colleges like MTC, STC, and PTC often run day and evening sections and offer multiple start dates annually.
College credit certificates: SCF offers short-term certificates that can stack into an A.S. degree. Some courses run online or hybrid, which helps if you work full-time.
Certification prep online: Safety, OSHA-10/30, EPA 608, and exam prep modules are commonly offered in online formats through schools or third-party partners.
Ask each school about lab schedules, required in-person hours, externships, and exam prep included in tuition. Use our guides to compare learning formats and find funding: /guides/.
Next Steps
Compare schools statewide: /trade-school/florida/
Browse all trades: /trades/
Visit our national hub: /trade-school/
Learn more about specific careers:
Electrician: /trades/electrician
HVAC: /trades/hvac
Welding: /trades/welding
Plumbing: /trades/plumbing
Need help choosing? See our guides: /guides/
If you live in Bradenton Beach, start with Manatee Technical College and Suncoast Technical College. Tour the labs. Ask about licensure pass rates, schedules, placement support, and tool lists. Apply early to secure your start date.
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/.
