Best Trade Schools in South Miami, Florida (2026 Guide)

Updated June 20, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Here are the best schools in South Miami. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, understand Florida licensing, and see which trades are in demand in Miami-Dade. If you are a high school grad or a career changer, these schools offer fast, job-focused training with strong local employer ties12.

Compare Trade Schools Near South Miami, Florida

Below are accredited options within South Miami or a short drive in Miami-Dade County. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each catalog for exact hours and start dates.

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.

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.

#2

SABER College

Miami, FL 4.9 miles away BOC Score 75.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 32
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $36,937 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL 1.2 miles away BOC Score 74.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 84.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 437
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $85,019 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

CBT Technology Institute-Main Campus

Miami, FL 4.7 miles away BOC Score 64.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 89.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 484
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $42,262 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

FVI School of Nursing and Technology

Miami, FL 4.8 miles away BOC Score 61.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 82.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 838
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $30,172 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

New Professions Technical Institute

Miami, FL 4.9 miles away BOC Score 55.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 100.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 66
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $31,999 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

InterAmerican Technical Institute

Miami, FL 5.0 miles away BOC Score 49.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • 9600 Southwest 8th Street, Suite 42 Miami, FL 33174-2950
  • (305) 554-9281
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 85.7%
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 1040
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $25,621 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Florida Education Institute

Miami, FL 3.8 miles away BOC Score 47.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 12
  • Annual completions: 793
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $32,568 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Celebrity School of Beauty

Miami, FL 4.1 miles away BOC Score 29.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 708
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $16,463 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
176.8Contact school for pricingNot reportedNot reported—4 mi
275.2Contact school for pricing$36,93770%Yes*5 mi
364.6Contact school for pricing$42,26290%Yes*5 mi
461.9Contact school for pricing$30,17282%Yes*5 mi
555.9Contact school for pricing$31,999100%Yes*5 mi
649.6Contact school for pricing$25,62186%—5 mi
747.9Contact school for pricing$32,568Not reportedYes*4 mi
847.5Contact school for pricingNot reported53%—5 mi
929.9Contact school for pricing$16,463Not reported—4 mi

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 trades
Median annual wage by trade in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, BLS OEWS May 2025Culinary workers $57940; Phlebotomy technicians $45210; Medical assistants $44930; Nursing assistants $38010; Patient care technicians $38010.Culinary workers$57,940Phlebotomy technicians$45,210Medical assistants$44,930Nursing assistants$38,010Patient care technicians$38,010
Trades 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
TradeMedian 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 South Miami, Florida (2026 Guide)
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Trade Schools in South Miami, Florida (2026 Guide) (College Scorecard)CBT Technology Institute-Main Campus $42262; SABER College $36937; Florida Education Institute $32568; New Professions Technical Institute $31999; FVI School of Nursing and Technology $30172; InterAmerican Technical Institute $25621.CBT Technology Institute-Mai...$42,262SABER College$36,937Florida Education Institute$32,568New Professions Technical In...$31,999FVI School of Nursing and Te...$30,172InterAmerican Technical Inst...$25,621
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 South Miami, Florida (2026 Guide)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
CBT Technology Institute-Main Campus$42,262
SABER College$36,937
Florida Education Institute$32,568
New Professions Technical Institute$31,999
FVI School of Nursing and Technology$30,172
InterAmerican Technical Institute$25,621

Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in South Miami

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).

Trade Schools in Nearby Cities

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • New housing, commercial retrofits, and solar projects in South Florida support steady demand for electricians1. Entry starts with a pre-apprenticeship or a certificate in electricity. Many tech colleges listed above align with local apprenticeships.

HVAC/R

  • Miami’s year-round cooling needs keep HVAC technicians busy. Employers value EPA 608 certification, clean driving records, and customer service skills. Experienced techs can move into Class A contractor licensing and business ownership1.

Welding

  • Welding supports construction, ship repair at PortMiami, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects. Training programs emphasize safety, blueprint reading, and processes like SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW. AWS certifications help you specialize and boost pay1.

Plumbing

  • Plumbers are needed for residential service, high-rise construction, and medical gas systems. Miami-Dade also uses journeyman cards for county-level work. Contractor licensing is at the state level when you are ready to run projects or a business1.

Building & Construction Trades

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Flooring Installer9.5%
Plumber4.5%
Welder2.2%
Carpenter4.5%
Construction Worker7.3%

Construction Management & Inspection

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Construction Manager8.7%
Home Inspector-0.8%

Electrical & Energy Systems

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Lineworker6.6%
Wind Turbine Technician49.9%
Tower Technician8.6%
Electrician9.5%
HVAC Technician8.1%
Solar Installer42.1%

Mechanical, Automotive & Transportation

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Aircraft Mechanic (A&P)4.0%
Diesel Technician2.4%
Gunsmith2.0%
CNC Machinist0.0%
Truck Driver (CDL)4.0%
Heavy Equipment Operator3.6%
Auto Mechanic4.2%
Automotive Technician4.2%
Maintenance Technician3.8%

Healthcare: Nursing & Patient Care

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)2.6%
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)2.6%
Hemodialysis Technician5.2%
Medical Assistant12.5%
Mental Health Technician20.0%
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)2.3%
Patient Care Technician2.3%
Home Health Aide17.0%

Healthcare: Allied Health & Diagnostics

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer13.0%
EKG Technician3.0%
Radiologic Technologist4.3%
Surgical Technologist4.5%
Optician2.9%
Dental Assistant6.4%
Sterile Processing Technician10.0%
Pharmacy Technician6.4%
Phlebotomy Technician5.6%

Healthcare: Administration & Office Support

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist7.1%
Medical Office Administrator4.2%

Therapy, Rehab & Fitness

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Occupational Therapy Assistant19.2%
Massage Therapist15.4%
Personal Trainer11.9%
Physical Therapy Aide2.8%

Animal Care & Training

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Veterinary Technician9.1%
Veterinary Assistant8.7%
Dog Trainer5.1%

Beauty & Personal Care

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Esthetician6.7%
Beauty Professional5.6%
Cosmetologist5.6%

Culinary & Hospitality Careers

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Culinary Chef7.1%
Pastry Chef7.1%

Business & Legal Support

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Paralegal0.2%
Bookkeeper-5.8%
Digital Court Reporter-0.3%

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.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections (2024-2034). Projected U.S. change shown for each trade.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Electrician

  • Regulator: Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB)3.
  • Path:
    • Start in an approved electrical program or registered apprenticeship.
    • Accumulate about 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience to qualify for contractor exams.
    • Pass the Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) exam to work statewide, or the Registered (ER) route tied to local jurisdictions.
    • Provide fingerprints, financial responsibility, insurance, and apply through DBPR.
    • Miami-Dade issues journeyman and master electrician cards for local employment and permitting levels4.
  • See the trade overview: Electrician.

HVAC

  • Regulator: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)5.
  • Path:
    • Complete HVAC/R training and earn EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerants6.
    • Gain 4 years of experience (some education can substitute) to sit for contractor exams.
    • Choose Class A (unlimited), Class B (limited capacity), or Class C (service) contractor license.
    • Submit exam results, experience, financials, and insurance to DBPR.
    • Many techs work under a licensed contractor while they build hours.
  • Explore the trade: HVAC.

Plumbing

  • Regulator: Florida DBPR, CILB5.
  • Path:
    • Train in a plumbing certificate or apprenticeship.
    • Gain 4 years of experience to qualify for the Certified Plumbing Contractor exam.
    • Pass the exam, meet financial and insurance requirements, and apply to DBPR.
    • Miami-Dade offers journeyman and master plumber licensing for local work4.
  • Learn more: Plumbing.

Welding

  • No state license required.
  • Employers often require AWS certifications (such as D1.1 structural steel). Some jobs may require testing at a Miami-Dade-approved facility. Ports or industrial sites may require additional safety cards or TWIC credentials as applicable.
  • Get started: Welding.

Other common credentials

  • OSHA 10/30 for safety.
  • NCCER Core and craft modules for construction trades where offered.
  • FAA A&P for aviation maintenance at George T. Baker.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid schedules: Many Miami-Dade technical colleges and ACCSC-accredited schools run day and evening cohorts. Theory is often available online, with labs held on campus.
  • General education online: Miami Dade College offers online Gen Ed courses that can shorten time on campus for associate programs.
  • Certification prep: EPA 608, OSHA 10/30, and some NCCER Core theory can be studied online. Hands-on practice and proctored exams are still required.
  • Working adults: Ask about part-time pacing, weekend labs, make-up hours, and employer partnerships that allow paid training.

Next Steps

South Miami has practical options for quick, skills-based careers. Tour campuses, ask about placement and certifications, and choose a schedule you can finish.

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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians; HVAC Mechanics and Installers; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters; Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩︎

  3. Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/electrical-contractors/ ↩︎

  4. Miami-Dade County, Trade Licenses and Journeyman Cards. https://www.miamidade.gov/permits/trade-licenses.asp ↩︎ ↩︎

  5. Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  6. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-fact-sheet ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)