Here are the best schools in Mount Dora. This page highlights accredited training near Mount Dora, Florida. You will see program options, typical program length, and Florida licensing steps. Use it to plan a fast, job-focused path into a skilled trade.
Compare Trade Schools Near Mount Dora, Florida
These accredited schools are in Mount Dora or a short commute away. Program availability can change by campus. Always confirm details with the school1.
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 - Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, 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 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
Trade
Median annual wage
Culinary workers
$61,390
Medical assistants
$43,800
Phlebotomy technicians
$39,390
Nursing assistants
$37,690
Patient care technicians
$37,690
Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Trade Schools in Mount Dora, 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 Mount Dora, Florida (2026 Guide)
School
Median graduate earnings
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando
$71,478
Seminole State College of Florida
$52,407
Lake-Sumter State College
$46,194
City College-Altamonte Springs
$40,977
Lake Technical College
$40,817
Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Mount Dora
Among the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $37,690 to $61,390 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 Mount Dora ranges from $3,122 to $14,281 per year (IPEDS and College Scorecard); schools that do not publish a rate are marked “Contact school for pricing” in the table below. Typical medical assistant training runs 9-12 months (certificate or diploma) (TradeCareerPath program data).
Work includes wiring, panels, low-voltage systems, and service calls. Florida’s construction and solar growth support steady demand for electrical technicians2.
Electricians earned a median 1,590 nationally in 20232. Experienced electricians and licensed contractors can earn more.
HVAC/R Technician
Central Florida heat drives year-round service calls. HVAC mechanics install, maintain, and troubleshoot cooling, heat pumps, and refrigeration.
Median pay was 7,300 in 20232. EPA 608 certification is required for refrigerants in Florida and nationwide3.
Welder
Welders work in fabrication, construction, utilities, marine, and theme-park maintenance throughout Central Florida.
Median pay was 8,940 in 20232. Common processes include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW. AWS credentials help you qualify for better jobs.
Plumber
Plumbers and pipefitters handle water, gas, and drain systems in new builds and remodels. The region’s growth keeps service and construction crews busy2.
Median pay was 1,550 in 20232. Moving up to contractor boosts earnings and autonomy.
Explore trade profiles and career paths:
Electrician overview and training steps: /trades/electrician
HVAC technician career and certifications: /trades/hvac
Welding training and AWS credentials: /trades/welding
Plumbing training and apprenticeship paths: /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.
Florida licenses contracting at the state level. Some counties and cities issue journeyman cards. Plan for both.
Electrician
Who licenses: Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB)4.
To contract independently: Apply for Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) or Registered (ER).
Typical steps: Document 4+ years of experience or apprenticeship, pass trade and business exams, background check, financial responsibility, and insurance.
Journeyman: Many Florida counties issue journeyman credentials. A state EC license is required to advertise or contract statewide.
HVAC/R (Air Conditioning Contractor)
Who licenses: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)4.
License types: Class A (unlimited) and Class B (≤25 tons cooling and ≤500k BTU heating).
Typical steps: 4 years verified experience or a mix of education and experience, pass trade and business exams, background check, and insurance.
EPA 608 certification is required for anyone handling refrigerants3.
License types: Certified Plumbing Contractor (statewide) or Registered (local).
Typical steps: Qualifying experience, trade and business exams, background check, and insurance.
Journeyman: Often issued at the county or city level via local boards.
Welder
Florida does not issue a state welding license.
Employers and municipalities may require AWS structural or pipe certifications (for example, D1.1, D1.5, or 6G). Training programs prepare you for common AWS tests.
Helpful note: Many programs align with NCCER performance standards or prepare you for exams like EPA 608, AWS, or state contractor tests. These credentials signal job readiness to employers53.
Online & Flexible Options
Hybrid learning: Many schools deliver theory online while keeping labs in person. HVAC, electricity, and welding require hands-on competencies, so expect scheduled shop time.
Evenings and accelerated formats: Lake Technical College and Orange Technical College offer day or evening cohorts for working students. Private career schools often run multiple start dates.
Credit pathways: Community colleges like Seminole State and Valencia offer college credit certificates that stack into associate degrees. This helps if you want to move into supervision or estimating later.
Apprenticeships: Electrical and plumbing apprenticeships blend paid work with weekly classroom training. Ask local contractors or unions about openings in Lake, Orange, and Seminole counties.
Next Steps
Compare Florida trade schools by region: /trade-school/florida/
See all skilled trades and choose a path: /trades/
Learn how to pay for school and plan your training: /guides/
Explore all state and national trade school options: /trade-school/
Tip: Visit at least two campuses. Ask about lab hours, certification pass rates, employer partners, and placement support. Bring a copy of your ID and a resume to speed up admissions and employer referrals.
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/.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Occupational Outlook Handbook and May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Electricians, HVAC Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and https://www.bls.gov/oes/↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Licensing for Electrical, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing Contractors. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/↩︎↩︎↩︎
