Here are the best schools in Greenacres. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, understand Florida licensing, and see which trades are hiring. Demand for electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, and welders remains steady across South Florida1.
Compare Trade Schools Near Greenacres, Florida
Below are accredited programs within an easy drive of Greenacres. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for current schedules.
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.
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 - Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, 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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Trade
Median annual wage
Culinary workers
$57,940
Phlebotomy technicians
$45,210
Medical assistants
$44,930
Nursing assistants
$38,010
Patient care technicians
$38,010
Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Trade Schools in Greenacres, 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 Greenacres, Florida (2026 Guide)
School
Median graduate earnings
Ultrasound Medical Institute
$61,955
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations
$60,657
Palm Beach State College
$48,635
Medical Institute of Palm Beach
$33,141
The Beauty Institute
$27,855
Empire Beauty School-West Palm
$26,908
Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Greenacres
Among the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $38,010 to $57,940 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).
Electrician
Greenacres sits in a growing construction market. Contractors need entry-level helpers and apprentices. Electricians earn solid wages with strong statewide demand and steady project pipelines in residential upgrades, commercial build-outs, and solar integration1. Entry routes include electricity certificates or a registered apprenticeship.
HVAC/R Technician
Air conditioning is essential in Palm Beach County. HVAC techs see year-round service calls, seasonal installs, and energy-efficiency retrofits. Many employers hire graduates who have EPA Section 608 certification and basic troubleshooting skills1.
Plumber
South Florida’s development and renovation cycles drive plumbing work in new construction, service, and medical gas systems. Apprenticeships are a tried-and-true way in. Contractor licensing can boost income once you gain experience1.
Welder
Welders support construction, marine, manufacturing, and repair shops. Structural steel, aluminum, and pipe welding skills are valuable. Employers often prefer AWS code testing for structural or pipe roles1.
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. Entry-level technicians usually start as helpers or apprentices under licensed contractors. Local jurisdictions may license journeyman electricians or plumbers.
To be a contractor: Qualify for Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) or Certified Residential Electrical Contractor (ER). Meet experience, financial, and insurance requirements; pass the state exam.
To work as a journeyman: Palm Beach County may require a local journeyman card. Expect 4 years of experience or completion of an approved apprenticeship plus an exam.
Good first step: Complete an electricity program or enter a registered apprenticeship, then prepare for local journeyman testing and, later, the state contractor exam.
HVAC/R
Board: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board2.
Contractor license classes: Class A (unlimited), Class B (limited capacity), and Class C service-only. Most technicians work under a licensed contractor until they meet experience and exam requirements.
Plumbing
Board: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board2.
To be a contractor: Certified Plumbing Contractor (CFC) requires verified experience, exam, financial responsibility, and insurance.
Journeyman: Often licensed at the county level. Apprenticeship or documentation of equivalent experience plus an exam.
Welding
No state license. Employers and project owners set qualifications.
Common credentials: AWS D1.1 Structural Steel, AWS D1.3 Sheet Steel, AWS D1.2 Aluminum, ASME Section IX for pipe4.
Many technical colleges prepare you for AWS code tests.
Always verify current rules with DBPR and your local building department before you test or apply.
Online & Flexible Options
Hybrid learning
Many technical colleges deliver theory online with labs on campus. HVAC and electrical programs may offer evening labs so you can work during the day. Welding and automotive require in-person labs.
Apprenticeship flexibility
Registered apprenticeships combine paid OJT with one or two nights of related instruction per week. This is a strong option if you need to earn while training.
Short courses and certifications
Look for prep classes for EPA 608, OSHA 10/30, NCCER module tests, and AWS code tests. These stack well with your main program and can make you job-ready faster.
How to Choose a Program
Verify accreditation and program approvals. Use College Navigator and school accreditors5.
Ask about outcomes data, employer partners, and lab hours.
Confirm your program aligns with Florida licensing steps in your trade.
Check schedules. Night or weekend labs can be a difference-maker if you work.
Tour the labs. Look for current equipment and instructor certifications.
If you live in Greenacres, start with Palm Beach State College for local labs, or consider a Broward technical college for more scheduling options. If you need to earn while training, contact ABC Institute about apprenticeship entry. Once you choose a path, map your first credential, your journeyman target, and your contractor licensing timeline.
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. Electricians, HVAC Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and Construction Industry Licensing Board. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/↩︎↩︎↩︎
