Trade school programs in Massachusetts

92 trade school programs in 13 fields of skilled trades, with costs, results and funding that can make them free

30 schools offer these programs, and Massachusetts has approved every one for workforce funding. Compare the 13 fields below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

Trade school programs teach hands-on work with tools, machines and building systems. That runs from building work like carpentry, plumbing and electrical, through repairing cars, diesel trucks, heating and cooling systems and factory machinery, to welding, sheet metal, masonry, auto body repair, CNC machining, manufacturing and electronics work, solar and wind installation, water treatment, workplace safety, running heavy equipment and cranes, and inspecting homes. Most are certificates; some are two-year degrees or apprenticeships.

All job training programs in Massachusetts, every line of work

Accredited trade schools in Massachusetts, each school with its accreditor

Trade school programs by state, to compare Massachusetts with other states

Compare trade school programs in Massachusetts: cost, pay and results

HVAC training (heating and cooling)
18 programs at 9 schools
Most cost
$6,941 to $18,998
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Finished
Not enough data
CNC machinist training
15 programs at 7 schools
Most cost
$3,425 to $7,788
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
AutoCAD and drafting courses (computer-aided design)
12 programs at 3 schools
Most cost
$5,324 to $8,000
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Manufacturing technician training
12 programs at 5 schools
Most cost
$5,875 to $8,000
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Electronics technician training
8 programs at 4 schools
Most cost
$3,545 to $6,383
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Welding classes
5 programs at 4 schools
Most cost
$4,500 to $6,000
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Electrician training
5 programs at 3 schools
Most cost
$21,600 to $30,848
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Finished
Not enough data
Auto mechanic classes
5 programs at 4 schools
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Finished
Not enough data
Heavy equipment operator training
4 programs at 2 schools
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Construction training programs
4 programs at 3 schools
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Finished
Not enough data
Industrial maintenance technician training
2 programs at one school
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Plumbing school
1 program at one school
Most cost
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported
Carpentry classes
1 program at one school
Most cost
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Finished
Not reported

Each figure is the middle program of that field. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools in Massachusetts may offer more. How these figures are made

Is there free trade school in Massachusetts?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program counted on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.¹²³
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁴ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.³
Or pay yourself. Without funding, prices differ by field: most welding programs in Massachusetts cost $4,500 to $6,000, and most electrician training programs $21,600 to $30,848. Each field's page lists every program with its price.

Other job training in Massachusetts, by line of work

Programs approved in Massachusetts in each line of work.

Where the Massachusetts trade school numbers come from

Which Massachusetts programs are counted?

Programs Massachusetts approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) in the fields listed above. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁵ They come from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Massachusetts offers.

What the figures for each field mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the funding facts about trade school programs in Massachusetts

Show the 5 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services