10 Best Trade Schools inMyrtle Beach, SC

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If you live in Myrtle Beach and you want to start a career in the field of skilled trades, this page is for you.

Here we have compiled information about the best trade schools in the region and the programs they offer.

By reading further you will gather more information about the programs they offer, tuition costs, program duration, and a variety of other factors that may help you choose the format that is best for you.

Most programs are designed to be completed in less than two years and lead to a diploma or certificate.

By focusing only on the skills that are directly relevant to the student’s future profession, the programs can get you ready for employment and/or licensure exams immediately after graduation.


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1Horry Georgetown Technical College

About the School

Horry Georgetown Technical College provides training programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of fields.

More than 70 programs are available at the college.

The college offers flexible class options, and three convenient class schedules in Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Georgetown.

Courses Offered

The college provides programs for the following pathways:

  • Arts, Sciences, and University Transfer
  • Culinary Arts Technology
  • Criminal Justice Technology
  • Golf & Sports Turf Management
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Teacher Education

The Culinary Arts pathway includes programs such as:

  • Baking and Pastry, A.A.S.
  • Culinary Arts Technology, A.A.S.
  • Kitchen and Food Preparation Techniques
  • Professional Cooking

The Culinary Arts program available at Horry Georgetown Technical College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Educational Foundation.

Programs are also available for students who want to pursue careers in Welding, Commerical Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Diesel Engine Technology, Mechatronics, Outboard Marine Technology, and many other in-demand professions.

Contact Information

  • Address: 2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, South Carolina 29526
  • Phone: (843) 347-3186
  • Website: https://www.hgtc.edu

2Strand College of Hair Design

About the School

Strand College of Hair Design teaches massage therapy, hair-of-the-art hair styling techniques, and many other skills.

The college is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the college:

  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
  • Teacher Training
  • Massage Therapy and Bodywork

The Cosmetology program covers topics such as:

  • Hair Designing
  • Chemical Reformation
  • Hair Color/Lightening
  • Scalp/Hair Care Treatments
  • Manicuring
  • Pedicuring
  • Artificial Nails
  • Skin Care
  • Professional Ethics
  • And more

All applicants must be at least 17 years of age in order to qualify for admission in any course offered by Strand College of Hair Design.

The Esthetics training program covers skin analysis, massage techniques, facial treatments, makeup techniques, removal of unwanted hair, aromatherapy, skin disorders, and a variety of other topics.

The Massage Therapy program is a 650-hour training course that provides theory and practical instruction as well as clinical experience in an in-depth study of human anatomy and physiology.

Tuition cost varies depending on the program.

The Massage Therapy program costs $9,115 and covers application fees, tuition, books, and supplies.

Contact Information


3Palmetto School of Career Development

About the School

Palmetto School of Career Development equips students with the fundamental tools needed for the professional workforce.

The process of starting a new career at Palmetto is:

  • Attend one of the school’s courses and complete the assignments, quizzes, and tests
  • Take the national and/or state certification exam for your new career
  • Apply for jobs in your chosen career field

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the school:

  • Dental Chairside Assisting- an 18-week program that includes 140 hours of lecture and hands-on clinical training in an actual dentist’s office
  • Pharmacy Technician- a 12-week program that takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays
  • Medical Administrative Assisting- an eight-week program that takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays
  • Medical Billing and Coding- a 12-week program that takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursday

The Dental Chairside Assisting program covers topics such as:

  • An introduction to dental assisting
  • Head anatomy, oral histology, tooth terminology, and more
  • OSHA, HIV, and infection control
  • Preventive dentistry, sealants, oral hygiene, and more
  • Study models
  • CPR Certification
  • Oral surgery
  • Radiology safety and procedure
  • And more

Contact Information


4PIA

About the School

Opened in 1929, PIA provides a variety of educational programs that emphasize hands-on learning.

Its main campus offers AST degree programs in Aviation Technology and a diploma or certificate program in Aviation Maintenance Technology.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the school:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technology Program- a program that provides students with the opportunity to test for the FAA’s Airframe and Powerplant Certification and covers topics such as:
    • Turbine Engines
    • Reciprocating Engines
    • Metallic Structures
    • Ignition Systems
    • Hydraulics & Pneumatics
    • Composite Materials
    • And more
  • Aviation Electronics Technology Program- a program that helps students acquire the National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies and covers topics such as Amplifiers, Microprocessors, Communications Transceivers, Navigation Systems, Microwave Systems, Radar Equipment, and more.

The Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in Aviation Electronics Technology Program takes 21 months to achieve and includes 2,478 total hours.

The Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology takes 21 months to complete while the Diploma/Certificate program is 16 months long.

Contact Information

  • Address: P.O. Box 10897, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
  • Phone: 800.444.1440
  • Website: https://pia.edu

5Coastal Carolina University

About the School

A public liberal arts institution, Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 and is located in Conway, South Carolina.

The students to faculty ratio are 17:1

The university offers more than 100 undergraduate and over 30 graduate-level major fields of study.

The programs include specialized concentrations across six academic colleges.

Undergraduate tuition for full-time students (12-18 hours) for in-state students is $5,820

Scholarships are available for students who qualify.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the university:

  • Anthropology and Geography
  • Applied Physics- Astronomy Concentration
  • Applied Statistics
  • Art History
  • Chemistry
  • Information Technology
  • Marine Science
  • Nursing
  • Public Health
  • And more

Contact Information


6Grand Strand School of Bartending

About the School

Grand Strand School of Bartending prepares students for employment in a fun and social work environment.

The school is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

Courses Offered

The Bartending and Mixology Education Course available at the Grand Strand School of Bartending includes courses on:

  • Bar Anatomy/ Equipment
  • Applications of Glassware
  • Recipes and Measurements
  • Exacto-Pour
  • Well, Call and Premium Liquors
  • Beer and Wine Basics

A TIPS Certification course is also available at the school site.

This course is designed for completion in one class and covers the On-Premise TIPS curriculum.

Tuition for the Bartending and Mixology course is $475 while the Tips Certification Course costs $125.

Contact Information


7Miller-Motte College

About the School

Miller-Motte College is located in the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area and offers career-focused technical training to students who want to enter the workforce in only one to 18 months.

The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, as a branch of Miller-Motte College- Chattanooga.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the College:

  • Business Administration- a program that provides students with fundamental knowledge on how to supervise workers, plan operations, establish policies, and pursue business goals
  • CDL Training: Class A Tractor Trailer- a program that covers driving techniques, maintenance, tractor-trailer laws, and a variety of other topics
  • Medical Billing and Coding- a program that prepares students with the skills needed when helping insurance companies and healthcare facilities bill the proper amount to their clients
  • Medical Clinical Assistant- a program that leads to a certificate or diploma and helps students get into the healthcare industry without years of schooling

Tuition ranges from $4,500 to more than $32,000 depending on the program.

The CDL Training Class A Tractor Trailer program costs $4,500 while the Business Administration program costs $32,240.

Contact Information


8Fortune Academy of Real Estate

About the School

Fortune Academy of Real Estate provides real estate training and tools for students’ success.

In order to get a real estate license, applicants must successfully complete the required credit hours of state-approved coursework applicable in their state.

The learner is then qualified to take the Salesperson Licensing Exam as per the requirements set by its state real estate commission requirements.

Fortune Academy of Real Estate helps students start a career in real estate by offering a highly convenient and flexible school system with a variety of training delivery methods to meet students’ needs.

Courses Offered

The school prepares students for the following licenses:

  • Real Estate License
  • Property Management License- this course teaches students about the different laws that every real estate licensee and property manager must be aware of
  • Broker Licenses- this program covers topics on contracts, real estate law, finance, agency law, and property management

Contact Information


9South Carolina Association of Cosmetology Schools

About the School

South Carolina Association of Cosmetology Schools provides cosmetology classes for students who want to start a career in this field and six-hour continuing education classes for licensed professionals who want to keep up with their training.

New classes begin on the first Tuesday of each month.

Classes are available for students who have at least a tenth-grade education that can be verified and meets State Board requirements.

Theory classes are typically held Tuesday-Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. while the clinic floor is open 11-5 p.m.

Founded in 1967, SCACS is a non-profit association.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by South Carolina cosmetologists was $29,570 with salaries ranging from less than $18,000 and more than $46,000, depending on experience, location, employer, and a variety of other factors.

Contact Information


10Pinnacle Real Estate Academy

About the School

Pinnacle Real Estate Academy provides in-person, zoom, and self-paced courses.

A female-owned and operated school, Pinnacle Real Estate Academy is a fully accredited Real Estate School by The South Carolina Real Estate Commission.

The academy provides the following courses:

  • SC Salesperson Courses
  • SC Continuing Education
  • SC Property Management
  • SC Broker Courses
  • NC Post Licensing Courses
  • NC Continuing Education
  • Professional Development
  • Traction-Onboarding Real Estate
  • Mentorship & Tutoring Programs

Course registration for the 60-hour pre-licensing South Carolina course is $425.

This includes all mandatory materials.

Classes are taught by some of the best industry professionals in the business and are designed to prepare students for a long career in the real estate field.

The course provides students with the basic real estate knowledge required to successfully pass the South Carolina Real Estate License Exam.

Contact Information


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants520$47,560$22.87$61,990$34,330
Medical Records Specialists130$43,930$21.12$62,400$28,580
Nursing Assistants1,170$30,570$14.7$35,560$24,230
Dental Assistants470$43,090$20.72$55,030$32,870
Medical Assistants780$35,520$17.08$42,680$29,710
Phlebotomists220$36,670$17.63$44,350$28,420
Electricians530$48,570$23.35$64,630$30,570
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters470$47,050$22.62$68,870$28,910
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1,060$44,500$21.4$65,710$26,110
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers660$46,040$22.13$61,030$29,490
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

From cosmetology to medical assisting, from truck driving to welding, trade schools can prepare you for rewarding careers in a variety of in-demand industries in less than two years.

Now that you have read our selection of top trade schools in Myrtle Beach, the next step is to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs and career aspirations.

This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.


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