Trade SchoolsTrade schools, also known as vocational schools, technical schools or career centers, are a viable alternative for those who want to build a successful career but can’t afford a four-year college.
This page compiles information about the best vocational schools in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The region is home to many reputable trade schools that can get you ready for employment in high demand industries, such as allied health, beauty or real estate.
There are many options available, so take your time and explore all your alternatives.
1American Institute of Beauty, Inc.
American Institute of Beauty, Inc. provides training programs for future beauty professionals.
School instructors are skilled and highly trained professionals and possess real-life experience.
The school offers small class sizes and state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest technology.
Students also learn business skills and critical thinking techniques to increase earning potential.
American Institute of Beauty, Inc. is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences NACCAS.
Enrollment. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
Applicants who are under the age of 18 must have written approval from their parents or legal guardian.
Prospective students who do not hold a high school diploma or equivalent must be at least 16 years of age and must demonstrate the ability-to-benefit from the course of training through testing according to the school’s policy.
Fees. Total costs are between $3,125-$18,975, depending on the program.
Financial aid is available to qualifying students.
Courses offered:
- Cosmetology
- Skin Care
- Clinical Skin Care Program
- Full Specialist
- Nail Technology
- Barber
- Makeup
- Eyelash Extensions
Contact information:
- St. Petersburg Campus: 2800 34th St. North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33713
- Phone: (727) 826-0969
- Website: https://aibschool.edu
2Loraines Academy & Spa
Loraines Academy is a beauty school, nail school, spa, skincare, and massage therapy school located in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The school has a licensure rate of 93% and a placement rate of 73%.
Loraines Academy programs are nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
Enrollment. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Instructor Training candidates must also have a Florida Cosmetology, Massage or Specialist License, and have an interview with the administrative office.
The school also admits persons who are above the age of compulsory school attendance and have the ability to benefit from the training offered.
To file for Massage licensure, students must be 18 or have a High School diploma or GED.
Fees. Total costs vary between $5,299-$22,684, depending on the program.
Financial aid is available to qualifying students.
Courses offered:
- Cosmetology
- Cosmetology w/ Facial
- Cosmetology w/Nails
- Cosmetology w/ Advanced Styling Bootcamp
- Nail Tech
- Facial Specialist
- Clinical Skin Care
- Full Specialist
Contact information:
- Address: 1012 58th Street North. St Petersburg, FL 33710
- Toll-Free: (888) 393-5015
- Website: https://www.lorainesacademy.edu
3Cortiva Institute
Cortiva Institute offers training programs for those who want to start a career as massage therapists or beauty professionals.
The 600-hour Professional Massage Therapy program can be completed in 32 weeks by full-time students and in 47 weeks by part-time students.
The 600-hour Makeup Artistry & Skin Care program and the 600-hour Paramedical Skin Care program can be completed in 27 weeks by full-time students and in 47 weeks by part-time students.
The Professional Massage Therapy Program focuses on both the art and science of massage.
The curriculum provides a foundation of basic and advanced approaches, including Swedish, sports, neuromuscular, myofascial, chair massage, trigger point work, and hydrotherapy.
The Makeup Artistry & Skin Care program provides combined training in both makeup artistry and skincare; students learn the art and science of makeup, while also specializing in the health and beautification of the skin.
The Paramedical Skin Care program teaches students the foundations of skincare, as well as treatments and techniques that promote skin health.
Cortiva Institute offers convenient day and night classes that fit students’ schedules.
Fees vary by program.
The Massage Therapy program costs approximately $12,700 if completed within normal time.
Courses offered:
- Professional Massage Therapy Program
- Makeup Artistry & Skin Care Program
- Paramedical Skin Care Program
Contact information:
- St. Petersburg campus: 2370 34th Street N., St. Petersburg FL, 33713
- Phone: (727) 865-4940
- Website: https://www.cortiva.edu
4Bob Hogue School of Real Estate
Bob Hogue School of Real Estate is offering training programs for real estate professionals since 1978.
The school offers classroom and online classes.
An instructor is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about course material.
Enrollment. To be eligible for a real estate sales associate license in Florida you must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED.
Students must complete and pass a state-approved 63-hour course and pass a state examination.
Those who want to obtain their broker license must hold an active sales associate license for at least 24 months out of the past 5 years.
Fees. The 63-hour sales associate pre-licensing classroom course costs $295.
The online course costs $245.
The 72-hour broker pre-licensing course costs $395 for classroom students and $345 for online students.
Courses offered:
- Real Estate State License
- Real Estate Broker
- State Exam Prep for Sales
- State Exam Prep for Broker
- Post-Licensing for Sales
- Post-Licensing for Broker
Contact information:
- St. Petersburg North campus: 2114 54th Ave N
- St. Petersburg campus: 5547 Dr Martin Luther King Jr St N
- Phone: 800-330-9411
- Website: https://www.hogue-school.com
5Cooke Real Estate School
Cooke Real Estate School is offering training classes for those who are looking for a career in real estate.
The owner of Cooke Real Estate School is Frank Cooke, a licensed real estate instructor in fifteen states.
The school uses the educational technology available today such as video streaming, interactive flashcards, and web-based educational platforms, to give students the opportunity to learn on their time, and in the environment best suited for learning.
Cooke is a licensed provider of Dearborn Real Estate Education content and includes the companion textbook for each course it provides.
Fees vary by program.
The 63 Hour Florida Real Estate Sales Associate License Course Premium Package costs $479.
Courses offered:
- 63 Hour Florida Real Estate Sales Associate License Course
- 45 Hour Florida Real Estate Post License Course
- 120 Hour Home Inspection License Course
- Appraisal Registered Trainee (103 Hours)
- 18 Hour Community Association Manager
- and much more
Contact information:
- Office location: 4130 16th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33703
- Phone: 800.943.9993
- Website: https://www.cookeschool.com/
6Southern Technical Institute
Southern Technical Institute is offering Home Health Aide classes in St Petersburg.
Southern Technical Institute offers a large variety of day, evening and weekend CNA training classes.
The Institute offers small class sizes so that each student gets the attention he/she needs.
Most classes have only 14-20 students.
All classroom tools, equipment, and supplies needed are provided by Southern Technical Institute.
Students can choose between online or in-class home health aide training programs to quickly earn an HHA 40-hour certificate or Home Health Aide 75-hour certificate.
Those who already have completed a training program as certified nursing assistants (CNA), can take an express Home Health Aid (HHA) class and receive a Home Health Aid 75 hour certificate.
Enrollment. Florida Board of Nursing does not require applicants to have a High School Diploma or GED to become a Certified Nurse Assistant.
The Home Health Aide Certificate classes do not require individuals to have a high school diploma or GED to be eligible for enrollment.
Southern Technical Institute also offers a 165-hour diploma in Home Health Aide for students with a high school diploma or GED.
Fees. Costs vary by program.
The CNA Prep Course costs $269, including CNA Test Prep tuition, CNA training book, American Heart Association BLS for New Healthcare Providers, two additional hands-on practice sessions at 2 hours each and 8 more additional medical CEU courses.
Courses offered:
- CNA Prep Training
- Home Health Aide Training
- EKG Technician
- Phlebotomist Training
- CPR & First Aid
- Med Tech Certification
- Online Courses
Contact information:
- Pinellas Park Campus: 8200 66th Street North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
- Phone: (727)548-7737
- Website: http://beacna.com
7RV Training Center
RV Training Center is a Florida-licensed RV Technician Training school.
The school located in Clearwater provides a 400-hour program that combines classroom and lab training with hands-on diagnostic techniques.
During the 10-week course, students learn about RV systems.
The course covers topics such as Electrical (DC/AC), LP Systems, Hydraulics, Refrigerators, Heating and A/C, Plumbing, Generators, and more.
Graduates receive an RV Training Center Certified RV Technician designation.
The school teaches the RVIA curriculum and helps students take the RVIA Registered and Certified Exams while in school.
Students will be prepared to take the RVIA Registered Exam at week 5 and RVIA Certification Exam at week 10.
RV Training Center is licensed by The Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education.
Enrollment. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED.
Students who have neither a high school diploma nor a GED may be admitted if they score at grade 10 or higher on the TABE test, level A.
Fees. The RV Technician program costs a total of $6,145.
Contact information:
- Mailing address: RV Tech Training Center, Inc., 4455 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL 33762
- Phone: (727) 536-4694
- Website: https://www.rvtrainingcenter.com
8Elite Medical Academy
Elite Medical Academy is a Florida-based, CNA Training School that offers online and in-person classes.
The school offers CNA training, Med Tech training, EKG training, CPR training, and caregiver training.
The school’s entry-level training programs give students the essential skills they need to pass the State Board Exams and then work in the medical field as a CNA or medication technician.
The classes can also be used as a first step for those pursuing a nursing degree.
Fees. The online Certified Nursing Assistant course costs $89.
The in-person Certified Nursing Assistant course costs $179.
Courses offered:
- (In-Person) Certified Nursing Assistant Course
- (Online) Certified Nursing Assistant Course
- (Online) EKG Technician Course
- (Online) 6 Hour Med Tech Course
- (Online) 2 Hour Med Tech Renewal
- (Online) Elite Silver Package
- (In-Person & Online) Elite Gold Package
- (In-Person & Online) Elite Platinum Package
- CPR/BLS
- Blood Borne/HIV
- CEU’s
- First Aid
- Medication Technician Renewal
- State Prometric Test
Contact information:
- Elite Medical Academy: 2600 E Bay Dr Suite 210, Largo, FL 33771, USA
- Phone: (727) 614-8400
- Website: https://www.elitemedacademy.com
9Aveda Institute
Aveda Institute is a beauty school in the Tampa-Bay area.
The Institute is offering career-training programs for those who want to start a career as hairstylists, estheticians or spa/massage therapists.
The cosmetology program incorporates theory with hands-on experience to provide students with a complete understanding of beauty and wellness.
Cosmetology students learn about hair cutting, color, texture services, nail care, makeup application, business development, retail knowledge and the strategy of gaining and retaining clients.
The esthiology full specialist program prepares students for a future as a skincare specialist, covering topics such as facials, waxing, makeup application, business development, wellness, and retail knowledge.
Students in the Esthiology Full Specialist/Massage Therapy learn techniques to balance and renew the skin, gaining hands-on clinical experience in facials, waxing, makeup application, business development, wellness, and retail knowledge.
Massage Therapy students learn specialized Ayurvedic techniques to purify, balance and renew the body and gain clinical experience in massage techniques, business development, wellness, and retail knowledge.
The 2-day certificate program in Eyelash Extensions is designed for licensed cosmetologists and/or estheticians who want to become lash artists; students learn about lash anatomy, health and sanitation guidelines, eyelash application and aftercare practices.
Courses offered:
- Cosmetology
- Esthiology Full Specialist
- Esthiology Full Specialist/Massage Therapy
- Massage Therapy
- Eyelash Extensions
Contact information:
- Address: 28272 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33761
- Phone: 727.287.4068
- Website: https://www.beaveda.com/locations/tampa-bay/
10Sunstate Academy
Sunstate Academy is a nonprofit institution that offers training for future beauty professionals.
Students have access to an on-campus salon where they gain a true salon and spa experience.
The school offers full-time and part-time schedules.
Sunstate Academy is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Enrollment. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent or a passing grade on the Ability-to-Benefit examination.
Prospective students must be at least 16 years of age.
If you want to enroll at the school, the first step is to fill out an application on their website or call the Admissions office to schedule an information session.
Fees. Tuition fees vary by program.
Financial aid is available to qualifying students.
Financial Aid representatives will help eligible students find financial assistance to meet the cost of education
Courses offered:
- Cosmetology
- Cosmetology is Spanish
- Barber Styling
- Barber Styling / Cosmetology Combination
- Massage Therapy
- Spa Therapies
- Nail Technician
- Full Specialty
- Continuing Education
Contact information:
- Sunstate Academy: 2525 Drew St., Clearwater, FL 33765
- Phone: 888-990-4211
- Website: https://www.sunstate.edu
Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers
| Career | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 5,550 | $60,640 | $29.15 | $82,730 | $38,650 |
| Medical Records Specialists | 2,230 | $48,760 | $23.44 | $74,600 | $31,100 |
| Nursing Assistants | 15,420 | $34,770 | $16.72 | $45,130 | $28,590 |
| Dental Assistants | 3,010 | $45,950 | $22.09 | $58,640 | $38,420 |
| Medical Assistants | 9,340 | $37,750 | $18.15 | $44,960 | $30,110 |
| Phlebotomists | 1,190 | $37,980 | $18.26 | $45,820 | $30,860 |
| Electricians | 6,400 | $50,760 | $24.4 | $63,220 | $36,630 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 3,670 | $47,840 | $23 | $62,000 | $36,050 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 7,850 | $47,370 | $22.77 | $73,240 | $29,120 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 5,830 | $49,170 | $23.64 | $62,310 | $36,700 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
St. Petersburg area offers a lot of opportunities for those who want to learn a new trade.
On this page, we have compiled information about 10 of the best trade schools in the region.
Don’t forget to do your own research before deciding on a vocational program.
We recommend you to take into consideration all the relevant factors, such as tuition costs, schedule, accreditation, graduation rate, and student reviews.
Trade Schools by City in Florida
