Here are the best schools in Hayden. This guide compares accredited options near Hayden, explains Idaho licensing, and highlights high-demand careers for 2025. Use it to pick a program, plan your training, and move into a reliable, well‑paid trade career123.
Compare Trade Schools Near Hayden, Idaho
Below are accredited colleges and recognized training providers that serve Hayden residents. Program lengths are typical ranges. Verify current start dates and schedules with each school.
We could not confirm enough colleges teaching this subject within range of this
location, so the list below shows nearby institutions instead. Confirm with each
school that it offers the program before you apply.
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 1 school, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
1 of them carries a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. 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 Idaho.
Schools closest to the main population center in Idaho are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Idaho 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 - Coeur d'Alene, ID'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 Coeur d'Alene, ID
Trade
Median annual wage
Culinary workers
$65,030
HVAC technicians
$58,800
Plumbers
$50,270
Dental assistants
$47,710
Medical assistants
$45,370
Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Hayden
Among the Coeur d’Alene, ID area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $45,370 to $65,030 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).
Electricians remain in steady demand as Idaho builds housing, light industrial sites, and infrastructure. The work blends problem solving with physical tasks and pays well with experience. The BLS projects solid national growth and strong replacement needs as older workers retire1.
HVAC Technician
HVAC mechanics and installers are needed for new construction and service across the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene corridor and North Idaho resorts. Year‑round service calls stabilize income even when construction cycles cool. EPA 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants14.
Welder
Welding supports manufacturing, fabrication, marine work on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and construction throughout the Idaho Panhandle. Versatile welders who can read blueprints and pass process tests (SMAW, GTAW, FCAW) are valued across shops and field projects1.
Plumber
Plumbers enjoy consistent residential and commercial work tied to growth around Hayden, Post Falls, and Coeur d’Alene. Apprentices earn while they learn. Licensing is mandatory in Idaho, with clear steps from apprentice to journeyman15.
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.
Idaho licenses most construction trades statewide through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Always confirm current rules before you enroll5.
Electrician (Idaho DOPL - Electrical Board)
Register as an Electrical Apprentice with DOPL.
Complete 8,000 hours (about 4 years) of supervised on‑the‑job training plus related classroom instruction (often 576 hours across four levels).
Apply for and pass the Idaho Journeyman Electrician exam.
For Master/Contractor, add required journeyman experience, pass the relevant exam, and meet insurance/bond requirements5.
Plumber (Idaho DOPL - Plumbing Board)
Register as a Plumbing Apprentice.
Complete 8,000 hours OJT plus approved related training.
Pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber exam.
Contractor licensure requires journeyman experience, exam, and insurance/bonding5.
HVAC (Idaho DOPL - HVAC Board)
Register as an HVAC Apprentice.
Complete required OJT hours (commonly 8,000) and related instruction.
EPA Section 608 certification is required if you handle refrigerants54.
Welding
No Idaho state license for general welding. Employers often require process certifications (e.g., AWS D1.1 structural). Many programs prepare you to test to applicable codes. Project types (structural, pipe, pressure vessels) determine the specific test you need.
CDL (Commercial Truck Driver)
Get an Idaho Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) after medical exam and knowledge tests.
Complete Entry‑Level Driver Training (ELDT) with an approved provider.
Pass skills testing for CDL‑A or CDL‑B through the Idaho Transportation Department6.
Online & Flexible Options
Hybrid learning: Many trade programs split theory online and hands‑on labs on campus. This format is common for HVAC, electrical apprenticeship classroom hours, and medical support roles. Expect fixed lab days in Post Falls or Coeur d’Alene for NIC programs.
Evening and weekend schedules: Check NIC Workforce Training Center for evening welding, electrical, and plumbing apprenticeship classes that fit full‑time work.
Short, stackable certificates: Start with an entry‑level certificate (e.g., basic welding or HVAC helper). Stack advanced processes or levels as you work. This helps you earn sooner and build toward journeyman status.
Statewide specialty options: If your goal is a niche role (e.g., power lineworker at NLC), plan for an intensive on‑site block and temporary housing. These programs place grads directly with utilities and contractors across the region.
If you need help comparing formats, start at our school hub: Trade School Directory, and check the Idaho state page for local schedules and updates: Idaho Trade Schools.
How their training aligns with Idaho licensing steps
A focused plan cuts months off your path to a good job. Shortlist two or three programs, visit labs, and pick the one that best fits your schedule and career goals.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Electricians; Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters; Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. Accessed 2025. ↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Profiles for North Idaho College, Lewis‑Clark State College, Idaho State University, College of Western Idaho. Accessed 2025. ↩︎
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Accredited Institutions Directory (includes Northwest Lineman College). Accessed 2025. ↩︎
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Section 608 Technician Certification for HVACR. Accessed 2025. ↩︎↩︎
Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Boards, Licensing requirements and applications. Accessed 2025. ↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎↩︎
Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements, CLP/CDL testing, and ELDT information. Accessed 2025. ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
