In short
Springfield residents can train for the trades at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC), through union apprenticeships for electricians and plumbers, or at private trade schools for fast programs like CDL, welding, and medical assisting. Missouri's A+ Scholarship and Fast Track grant can cover community college tuition for many people. Most programs take 4 weeks to 2 years. Fill out the form to hear from schools near you.
Jobs hiring in Springfield
Springfield has a strong industrial base — manufacturing plants, trucking warehouses, and construction all need skilled workers. Here's what the common trades pay in the Springfield area and how long it takes to get in:
| Job | Training time | Typical pay in Springfield | How you get in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 9–12 months of school, or 4–5 year paid apprenticeship | About $56,000–$66,000 | IBEW Local 453 apprenticeship, or trade school then a job |
| HVAC technician | 6–12 months | About $52,000–$60,000 | Trade school or OTC, then EPA 608 card |
| Welder | 7–9 months | About $45,000–$53,000 | Trade school or OTC; certifications from the school |
| Plumber | 1 year school, or 5-year paid apprenticeship | About $56,000–$66,000 | Plumbers Local 769 apprenticeship, or trade school |
| CDL truck driver | 3–7 weeks | About $48,000–$56,000 | CDL school; many carriers pay for it if you drive for them |
| Medical assistant | 9–12 months | About $37,000–$42,000 | Trade school or OTC; clinics and hospitals hire constantly |
| Diesel mechanic | 1–2 years | About $52,000–$62,000 | Trade school or OTC; trucking fleets hire from programs |
Pay is a typical range for experienced workers in the Springfield metro, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics area data (May 2024), rounded. Starting pay is lower. Union apprentices start around half of journeyman pay and get raises every six months to a year.
Ready for the list for Springfield?
Pick a trade on the form and only schools that teach it near you will reach out.
Where to train
Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC)
The public community college for the Springfield area. OTC's main campus and its technical center offer programs in welding, HVAC, electrical, automation, and diesel technology. Cheaper than private schools, and Missouri A+ and Fast Track money works here.
Union apprenticeships
Springfield has active union programs. Electricians (IBEW Local 453), plumbers and pipefitters (Local 769), and sheet metal workers run apprenticeships. You work full time, earn a paycheck, and attend classes — no tuition. Takes 4–5 years to reach full pay, but you're earning from day one.
Private trade schools
Faster programs with rolling start dates: CDL in a month, welding or HVAC in under a year, medical assisting in about nine months. Cost more than OTC but often include job placement help. Ask for accreditation and placement numbers before you sign.
What Missouri will help pay
Missouri money for training
- A+ Scholarship
- Covers community college tuition and fees for Missouri high school grads who met the A+ rules in high school (attendance, grades, tutoring hours). Ask your high school or OTC if you qualified.
- Fast Track grant
- For adults 25 and up (or younger with no degree) with income under the limit, training for a job Missouri lists as high-demand. Covers tuition and fees after other aid. Many trade programs count.
- Pell Grant
- Federal. Up to about $7,400 a year, based on income. Fill out the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. Free.
- WIOA
- Free training through the Workforce Development Board of Southwest Missouri if you qualify. Ask about it before you enroll anywhere.
- GI Bill
- Covers OTC, most trade schools, CDL school, and apprenticeships for veterans.
Sources: Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (A+, Fast Track); Federal Student Aid; Southwest Missouri Workforce Development Board. Rules and amounts change; confirm with the school's financial aid office.
Put those together and a lot of Springfield adults attend OTC for close to nothing out of pocket. Private schools take Pell, GI Bill, and WIOA but not A+ or Fast Track.
Questions from Springfield
Springfield has a lot of manufacturing. Which trades hire the most here?
Welders and diesel mechanics are at the top of the list — the plants and trucking warehouses around Springfield keep both in constant demand. HVAC and CDL are close behind. Manufacturing in southwest Missouri is stable, and experienced tradespeople are retiring throughout the region.
Does Ozarks Technical Community College offer evening classes?
Yes. OTC runs evening and weekend sections for the main trades — welding, HVAC, electrical, and diesel. CDL programs sometimes have weekend slots too. Tell OTC your work hours and ask what fits your schedule.
Can I start a union apprenticeship in Springfield without trade school?
Yes. IBEW Local 453 and Plumbers Local 769 both hire apprentices with no previous training. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, a driver's license, and to pass an entrance test. The schools we connect you with can tell you when the next application window opens.
I don't have a GED. Where do I start in Springfield?
OTC offers free GED prep and Adult Education classes through its workforce development office. Some private trade schools also let you start a program and finish your GED at the same time. Pick "Some high school" on the form and we'll include them.