Trade and Vocational Schools in Nevada

Nevada’s economy is rapidly growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Las Vegas metropolitan area experienced the greatest employment growth (+3.4%) of all metropolitan areas in the country between June 2023 and June 2024.

This growth likely resulted partly from the statewide popularity of trades such as aviation technology, medical assistance, and massage therapy. These professions typically require two or fewer years of training, often at trade and vocational schools.

Nevada vocational schools offer an alternative to traditional four-year college programs. The short-term programs often appeal to students hoping to save time and money on career preparation.

Keep reading to discover a list of accredited Nevada trade schools, career resources, and popular trades in the state.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Nevada is home to 19 trade and vocational schools — three with multiple in-state locations. Some schools focus on one field, exclusively offering programs like aviation maintenance or massage therapy. Others provide diverse program offerings in medical, tech, and legal studies.

Program length varies from three months for some certificate programs to two years for associate degree programs. However, most programs typically fall somewhere in between, lasting 9-21 months. Discover the full list of accredited Nevada trade schools below.

When looking for a trade school in Nevada, students should consider accreditation. All the schools in the table above hold institutional accreditation, which means they have passed a strict review process and met high standards of academic quality.

Institutional accreditation also impacts financial aid eligibility. Students can only apply for federal aid if they attend an accredited school. Plus, some scholarship organizations only accept applications from enrollees at accredited institutions.

Accrediting bodies for Nevada trade schools include the following:

Depending on your field of study, programmatic accreditation may also be important. Only five Nevada trade schools include accredited programs from the following recognized accreditors:

NCES reports average net costs between $11,000-$46,000 for Nevada trade schools for the 2022-2023 school year. However, the net price totals less than $28,000 for most schools.

These net costs typically cover tuition, fees, and books. Since trade schools typically do not require or provide on-campus housing, students should also consider transportation and housing costs. Some institutions may also require students to purchase uniforms and equipment.

Enrollees have several options to help cover education-related costs. Most trade schools encourage students to apply for federal grants or loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first.

After filing the FAFSA, students may request additional financial aid through the trade school. Common options include in-house financing, scholarships, and military benefits.

Third-party financial aid options also exist. Students can apply for identity- or skill-based scholarships through national organizations. For example, the Technology & Maintenance Council offers scholarships for trade school students pursuing automotive training.

Students in Nevada have several options besides vocational school to learn a trade. For example, they might pursue a trade program like automotive studies or nursing at a community college. Alternatively, some organizations offer apprenticeship programs alone or through postsecondary schools where individuals can learn on the job.

The Nevada Department of Education has also established a career and technical education (CTE) program to help prepare high school students for a career and lower their higher education costs. It offers more than 45 college-level programs free to high school students.

Programs include aviation technology, welding, cybersecurity, finance, culinary arts, nursing, and early childhood education. These course sequences typically last 2-3 years.

Upon successful completion of a CTE program, students must pass an end-of-program exam and a workplace readiness test — all before graduating high school. They can then transfer earned credits to a program at one of four qualifying Nevada colleges.

Based on the trade school program options, cosmetologist and esthetician jobs are some of the most popular trades in Nevada. However, the BLS reports much higher employment numbers for medical professionals, electricians, and tech support specialists.

Demand and salary also affect job popularity. Nearly all trades in Nevada have an above-average projected growth rate, and several report median annual salaries much higher than the national median.

The selected trades below reflect the diverse options for Nevada professionals. All have high projected growth rates and correspond with popular trade school programs in the state.

Registered nurses (RNs) work directly with patients, completing tasks like recording medical history, administering medication, and handling medical equipment. They often consult with doctors and other medical professionals, then educate patients and their families on proper care and treatment.

While some aspiring RNs might pursue a bachelor’s in nursing, an associate degree can also prepare them for the required NCLEX-RN licensing exam. In fact, several Nevada trade schools offer two-year RN programs.

Upon graduation and licensure, RNs in Nevada can enjoy a promising job outlook. As of May 2023, Nevada was home to 25,890 registered nurses, making the trade one of the most popular in the state.

Even with such high employment numbers, the trade has an expected growth rate of nearly five times the national average for all occupations. Plus, the median annual salary of RNs in Nevada surpasses the national median salary of RNs by over $10,000.

Massage therapists help clients relax, alleviate pain, and increase mobility by kneading muscles and soft tissues. They may also complete physical evaluations to target problem areas and recommend at-home stretches. Some massage therapists specialize in different approaches, like techniques for sports massage or kinesiology.

Like in most states, massage therapists in Nevada must hold a license. To apply, candidates must complete at least 625 hours of massage therapy education and pass one of the approved national exams, such as the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).

Several vocational schools in Nevada offer massage therapy programs. For example, the European Massage Therapy School focuses exclusively on advanced massage techniques.

With around 2,150 professionals in the state, massage therapy does not rank as the most popular Nevada trade based on employment. However, massage therapy has one of the state’s highest expected growth rates between 2022-2032, showing a probable spike in demand.

Occupational therapy (OT) assistants typically work directly under occupational therapists, helping with patient care and record-keeping. They gain hands-on experience teaching patients how to perform motor skill exercises and use adaptive equipment.

Many students start working as an assistant in hopes of eventually becoming a therapist. However, both types of OT professionals need a license in Nevada.

Students can apply for a provisional license after graduating from an occupational therapy program in Nevada. They can then upgrade to a standard license upon passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

Only 250 people work as OT assistants in Nevada, but the trade is lucrative. Occupational therapy assistants in Nevada report a median salary almost 15% higher than OT assistants nationwide. Their job outlook is also promising, with a projected growth rate of almost nine times the national average for all occupations.

Electricians ensure that building residents, companies, and entire communities have power. They may install and repair electrical wiring in buildings or maintain power lines. No matter the location, electricians ensure that all electrical systems follow local codes and regulations.

The path to becoming an electrician in Nevada varies. Some professionals prefer to complete an apprenticeship, while others opt for an electrician training program at a trade school.

Electricians in Nevada can apply for licensure, but only after a minimum of four years of work experience. In other words, graduates from an electrician trade school program can begin working immediately after graduation, often as an electrician apprentice or technician.

Electricians rank as one of the most popular trades in Nevada, with around 8,370 professionals working as of May 2023. While the trade is quickly growing nationwide, it is expanding more than twice as quickly in Nevada.

Hairdressers and hairstylists work in salons, shampooing, cutting, styling, and coloring hair. Cosmetologists typically offer additional specialty services, like scalp analyses, facials, and waxing. All salon workers use customer service skills to conduct style consultations, organize appointments, and manage payments.

Stylists need a license to work in Nevada. The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology offers several options, including hair braiding, shampoo technology, cosmetology, hair design, and instructor licenses. Requirements differ, but stylists typically need to complete training hours and pass an exam.

Even though only 2,020 stylists work in Nevada, cosmetology ranks as one of the most popular trade school programs. Almost half of the state’s trade schools exclusively offer style and beauty training programs. This trade’s popularity in Nevada also shows in its 20.4% projected growth rate — over five times the national projected growth rate for all occupations.