Best Trade Schools in St. Louis, Missouri (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in St. Louis. This guide compares accredited programs, program length, and hands-on training. It also explains local licensing steps and which trades pay well in 2025. Use it to choose a program and move quickly into a solid job.

Top Trade Schools in St. Louis

All schools below are accredited and serve the St. Louis metro. Program offerings and schedule options can change, so confirm details with the school. School accreditation and federal data are available via College Navigator and accreditor directories.12

School Program Length Highlights
Ranken Technical College (St. Louis, MO) 1-year certificate; 2-year AAS Well-known technical college with strong employer ties. Hands-on labs in Electrical, HVAC/R, Welding, Automotive, and Construction. HLC accredited. Day and some evening options. Career services and placement support.1
St. Louis Community College (multiple campuses) Certificates 1–2 semesters; 2-year AAS Large selection of skilled-trades programs: HVAC/R, Welding, Precision Machining, Industrial Maintenance, Electrical/Electronics. Flexible schedules, workforce-focused certificates, transfer options. HLC accredited.1
American Trade School (St. Ann, MO) Approx. 10–14 months certificate (varies by schedule) Focused training in HVAC/R and related systems. Small cohorts, day/evening schedules, prep for EPA 608. ACCSC accredited.2
Jefferson College (Hillsboro/Arnold, MO) Certificates 1 year; 2-year AAS HVAC/R, Welding Technology, Building/Construction, and Electronics-focused programs. Modern labs and apprenticeship-friendly schedules. HLC accredited.1
St. Charles Community College (Cottleville, MO) Short-term certificates; 2-year AAS (select programs) Welding Technology and manufacturing pathways. Strong workforce partnerships and short-term upskilling options. HLC accredited.1
Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville/Granite City, IL) Certificates 1 year; 2-year AAS Serves the Illinois side of the St. Louis metro. Welding, HVAC/R, Industrial Electricity & Maintenance, Precision Machining. Extensive labs and employer connections. HLC accredited.1
East Central College (Union, MO) Certificates 1 year; 2-year AAS HVAC, Welding, Precision Machining/Manufacturing. Night and day sections for working students. HLC accredited.1

Tip: If you plan to work as an electrician or plumber in St. Louis County or the City of St. Louis, confirm your program aligns with local licensing requirements before you enroll.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Demand is steady, with new construction and maintenance driving openings. Electricians earn a national median pay near the low 0,000s and often receive overtime and benefits through union shops.3
    • St. Louis has strong apprenticeship pipelines through local JATCs and contractor associations, plus entry points through college certificates.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Heating and cooling systems need installation and constant service. National median pay is in the mid-to-high 0,000s, with busy seasons adding overtime.3
    • EPA 608 certification is required for refrigerants. Many local programs embed 608 prep.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication, construction, and industrial maintenance keep welders busy. National median pay is in the upper 0,000s, with higher wages for specialized processes and codes (pipe/tube, structural, stainless).3
    • Employers often require an AWS weld test tied to the process you will run on the job.

  • Plumber/Pipefitter

    • Commercial and residential construction, plus plant maintenance, support strong demand. National median pay is in the low 0,000s.3
    • Apprenticeships in the St. Louis region are an excellent path, combining paid training with classroom hours.

These trades commonly offer overtime, shift differentials, and clear advancement ladders to foreman, estimator, or contractor roles.

Licensing Requirements in Missouri

Missouri does not issue a single statewide license for electricians, plumbers, or HVAC contractors. Licensing is handled at the local level (for example, St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis). Always check the jurisdiction where you will work.

  • Electrician (St. Louis area)

    • Education or apprenticeship: Complete a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship with classroom hours.
    • Experience: Accumulate documented on-the-job hours (commonly around 8,000 for journeyman-level).
    • Apply and test: Apply to the local authority (e.g., St. Louis County) for journeyman or supervising/master exams and pass required tests.4
    • Contractor: To run a business, obtain the appropriate contractor license, insurance, and permits in each jurisdiction.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • EPA 608 certification: Required to handle refrigerants.5
    • Local licensing: Mechanical/HVAC contractor licensing is issued by local jurisdictions for those pulling permits. Techs working under a licensed contractor may not need a separate license but must follow local code.4
    • Optional credentials: NATE or HVAC Excellence credentials can strengthen your resume.

  • Plumber (St. Louis area)

    • Apprenticeship or school: Complete a program and accumulate required OJT hours.
    • Local exams: Apply for journeyman and, later, master plumber exams with St. Louis County or the City (requirements vary by jurisdiction).4
    • Contractor: Separate contractor registration, insurance, and bond may be required to pull permits.

  • Welder

    • No state license: Missouri does not license welders.
    • Employer and code qualifications: Most employers require AWS process tests (e.g., SMAW, GMAW, FCAW) to a specific code like AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX. Schools often offer AWS certification testing.6

Good to know:

  • OSHA 10/30 cards are commonly requested on construction sites.
  • NCCER credentials are widely recognized across trades and can document your competencies if you move between employers.7

Online & Flexible Options

Hands-on labs are essential for trades, but many St. Louis programs offer flexible formats:

  • Hybrid courses: Safety, code, math, and theory online; labs on campus.
  • Evening/weekend sections: Common in welding, HVAC, and electrical to serve working adults.
  • Accelerated certificates: Short-term options help you qualify for entry-level roles quickly, then you can stack credits into an AAS.

Examples in the metro:

  • American Trade School offers day and evening cohorts in HVAC/R (includes EPA 608 prep).2
  • St. Louis Community College and Jefferson College schedule night labs for welding and HVAC to fit work schedules.1

If you need maximum flexibility, ask each program about:

  • Hybrid lecture options
  • Make-up lab policies
  • Start dates throughout the year
  • Employer-sponsored tuition or apprenticeship partnerships

Next Steps

Choose a program with strong labs, prep for required local exams, and the credentials employers in St. Louis ask for. Then apply, show up, and build momentum.

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (accessed 2025): https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Schools (accessed 2025): https://www.accsc.org/Directory-of-Schools/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (accessed 2025): https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. St. Louis County — Contractors Licensing and Permits (accessed 2025): https://stlouiscountymo.gov/ (see Transportation & Public Works > Permits & Contractor Licensing) ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (accessed 2025): https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

  6. American Welding Society, Certifications (accessed 2025): https://www.aws.org/certification ↩

  7. NCCER Industry-Recognized Credentials (accessed 2025): https://www.nccer.org/credentials-certifications ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.