In short
St. Louis residents can train for the trades at St. Louis Community College (STLCC), through union apprenticeships for electricians, plumbers and sheet metal workers, 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 St. Louis
St. Louis has a strong industrial base—manufacturing, logistics, construction, and healthcare all need skilled workers. Here's what the common trades pay in the St. Louis area and how long it takes to get in:
| Job | Training time | Typical pay in St. Louis | How you get in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 9–12 months of school, or 4–5 year paid apprenticeship | About $58,000–$68,000 | IBEW Local 1 apprenticeship, or trade school then a job |
| HVAC technician | 6–12 months | About $54,000–$62,000 | Trade school or STLCC, then EPA 608 card |
| Welder | 7–9 months | About $47,000–$55,000 | Trade school or STLCC; certifications from the school |
| Plumber | 1 year school, or 5-year paid apprenticeship | About $58,000–$68,000 | Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 apprenticeship, or trade school |
| CDL truck driver | 3–7 weeks | About $50,000–$58,000 | CDL school; many carriers pay for it if you drive for them |
| Medical assistant | 9–12 months | About $39,000–$44,000 | Trade school or STLCC; hospitals and clinics hire constantly |
| Diesel mechanic | 1–2 years | About $54,000–$64,000 | Trade school or STLCC; trucking and construction fleets hire from programs |
Pay is a typical range for experienced workers in the St. Louis 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 St. Louis?
Pick a trade on the form and only schools that teach it near you will reach out.
Where to train
St. Louis Community College (STLCC)
The public community college system for the St. Louis area, with four campuses (Florissant Valley, Forest Park, Meramec, and South County). Florissant Valley has the biggest technical program: HVAC, welding, electrical, auto and diesel, and IT. Cheaper than private schools and Missouri A+ and Fast Track money works here.
Union apprenticeships
St. Louis has strong union presence. Electricians (IBEW Local 1), plumbers and pipefitters (Local 562), sheet metal workers (Local 36), and carpenters all 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 STLCC 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 STLCC 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 St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) if you qualify. Ask about it before you enroll anywhere.
- GI Bill
- Covers STLCC, most trade schools, CDL school, and apprenticeships for veterans.
Sources: Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (A+, Fast Track); Federal Student Aid; SLATE. Rules and amounts change; confirm with the school's financial aid office.
Put those together and a lot of St. Louis adults attend STLCC for close to nothing out of pocket. Private schools take Pell, GI Bill, and WIOA but not A+ or Fast Track.
Across the river: Illinois
Schools on either side take students from both. The aid rules follow where you live, not where the school is. Federal aid (Pell, GI Bill) works anywhere.
Questions from St. Louis
Can I go to trade school at night and keep my job?
Yes. STLCC and most private schools in St. Louis run evening and weekend classes for the main trades. CDL schools often have weekend programs. Tell the school your hours and ask what fits.
How do I get into a union apprenticeship in St. Louis?
Each local has its own application period, usually once or twice a year. You need a high school diploma or GED, a driver's license, and to pass a basic math and reading test. Some require a pre-apprenticeship class. The schools we connect you with can tell you the next application dates.
I don't have a GED. Where do I start?
STLCC offers free GED prep classes, and SLATE (the workforce board) runs Adult Education and Literacy programs across the city. Some trade schools 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.
Which trade is hiring the most right now in St. Louis?
Welders and HVAC techs are at the top of the list. Manufacturing and construction in the region are both strong, and a lot of experienced tradespeople are retiring. CDL drivers are in demand too—St. Louis is a major logistics hub for the central U.S.