Best Trade Schools in Washington (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Washington’s skilled trades are booming in construction, energy, transportation, and healthcare. From Seattle to Spokane, accredited trade schools across the state offer accelerated programs that help students gain real-world skills and pursue rewarding careers; outcomes vary by location and job market.

Programs often take less than 2 years and include options for apprenticeships, certifications, and state licensing.

Best Trade Schools In Washington

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 7 schools, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 7 of them carry a score.

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.

#1

Skagit Valley College

Mount Vernon, WA In-state option BOC Score 72.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 34.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 50
  • Annual completions: 273
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,533 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Kirkland, WA In-state option BOC Score 68.9
Tuition $5,997 - $16,339
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 38.3%
  • Programs offered: 53
  • Annual completions: 878
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,891 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Spokane Community College

Spokane, WA In-state option BOC Score 68.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 35.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 83
  • Annual completions: 1838
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,567 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, WA In-state option BOC Score 63.9
Tuition $6,634 - $18,882
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 41.8%
  • Programs offered: 61
  • Annual completions: 1796
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,699 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Renton Technical College

Renton, WA In-state option BOC Score 63.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 50.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 64
  • Annual completions: 901
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,466 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

North Seattle College

Seattle, WA In-state option BOC Score 48.3
Tuition $5,238 - $18,943
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 32.6%
  • Programs offered: 31
  • Annual completions: 202
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $70,090 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Washington?

Bates Technical College in Tacoma is highly rated for welding, HVAC, and electrician training. Renton Tech offers great programs in construction and culinary trades. Clover Park is known for its aviation and automotive training.

Are Washington community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Technical and community colleges across the state offer vocational training in trades like welding, HVAC, and marine tech with accreditation and job placement support.

What trades are in demand in Washington in 2025?

According to the Washington State Employment Security Department:

  • HVAC Technicians
  • Welders
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Marine Technicians
  • CDL Drivers
  • Diesel Mechanics

Washington’s trade schools help students launch essential careers that power the state’s economy. Whether you’re building homes, installing solar, or repairing engines, skilled trades offer a fast path to success.

Trade Schools by City in Washington

Compare accredited trade schools in 86 Washington cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.

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/.

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)