If you want to start a career without spending four years in post-secondary education, Spokane trade schools offer a variety of post-secondary programs that can be completed in less than two years.
These programs usually focus on hands-on training, and some combine online training with hands-on practice.
Many classes are offered in flexible formats, thus allowing students to keep a full-time job while completing training.
We invite you to read our list and choose the program that best meets your career aspirations, skills, and needs.
1Northwest HVAC/R
About the School
Northwest HVAC/R is offering offers 900-hours of instruction and an internship.
Each of the topics included in the program is covered by theory and practical work.
The school promotes free enterprise, safe work environments, service installations, and journeyman recruiting.
To be eligible for admission, students have to meet the following requirements:
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Hold a high school diploma / GED
- Pay a registration fee
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete an application or contact the school for more information
The total cost of training is approximately $11,40o, which includes tuition, tool kit fee, books, school fees, and registration fee.
An average grade of 70% or higher per course is required for graduation and all fees must be paid in full.
Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion.
The Northwest HVAC/R Training Center is accredited by the Council of Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
The program includes classes in:
- HVAC/R math
- Boilers (Residential)
- Cooling and Heat Pump Series
- Gas service
- Gas Codes and Installation
- Boilers Residential
- EPA Certification
- System Design
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 204 E Nora Ave, Spokane, WA 99207
- Phone: 509-747-8810
- Website: https://inwhvac.org
2Anvil Welding Instruction
About the School
Anvil Welding Instruction is offering classes for those who want to start a career in the welding profession.
Classes are designed for different experience levels: from beginner to pro.
According to the school’s website, their accelerated welding programs are 90% hands-on and cover instruction, techniques, technology, and safety practices.
The school offers an 8:1 student to teacher ratio.
Tuition varies depending on the class.
The GTAW Welding course costs between $1,400-$2,800.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
- Industrial Welding – a class that covers:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Core Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Oxy/Acetylene cutting, brazing, and welding
- TIG (GTAW) Welding – a course that can be completed in 2-4 weeks and covers:
- Identification of tungsten electrodes and their use
- Operating a foot control and tig torch
- Matching the correct filler material with the base metal
- Tig torch maintenance
- Introduction to Welding
- Welding Skill Builder
- Level 1&2 Combination
- Pipe Welding
- Home & Hobby Welding
Contact Information
- Address: 4227 E Trent, Spokane, WA 99202
- Phone: (509) 891-5914
- Website: https://anvilweldinginstruction.com
3NorthWest Phlebotomy School
NorthWest Phlebotomy School offers phlebotomy, EKG, or IV certification training classes.
Admission requirements vary depending on the class.
A high school diploma or GED is usually required.
Tuition for the EKG class is $675.
The IV Certification course costs $250 while the Phlebotomy class is $725.
The school also offers group training for medical students, nurses, EMTs, oral surgeon offices, and more.
Their curriculum is accredited by the National Registry of Allied Health Professionals.
Courses Offered
NorthWest Phlebotomy School is offering courses in:
- Phlebotomy – a blend of lectures and labs that teach students a variety of venipuncture techniques.
- IV Certification – a one-day, four-hour workshop that is available to students who have previous medical education.
- EKG – a 10-hour program that prepares students for a career as an EKG technician
- National Phlebotomy Certification Exam is offered online by NEAHP.
The Phlebotomy courses cover topics such as:
- Blood Collection: Anatomy & Physiology, Performing Phlebotomy, and Special Consideration
- Safety in the Field: Preventing Needlestick Injuries, Infection Control, Preventing Bloodborne Pathogen Transmission
- Practical Exam: a one-on-one practical exam that takes place on the last day of class.
Contact Information
- Address: 304 W Pacific Ave Suite 210, Spokane, WA 99201
- Phone: 360-522-3226
- Website: https://www.nwphlebotomyschool.com
4Carrington College
About the School
Carrington College provides career training at its Spokane campus.
Most of the programs in its catalog can be completed in as few as nine months.
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available in Spokane:
- Medical Assisting- a program that prepares students that know how to take vital signs, how to prepare specimens for a lab test, and how to perform other tasks.
- Dental Assistant – a program that teaches students how to sterilize equipment, take x-rays, keep records, and other useful skills
- Pharmacy Technology- a program that prepares students for certificate and licensure exams
- Health Studies – a program that leads to an Associate Degree and is designed for those who have previous training in a health-related field
- Massage Therapy – the program prepares a student for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination.
- Medical Billing and Coding- a curriculum that teaches students how to code health records, how to submit bills, and more.
- Phlebotomy Technician – a program that prepares students for careers as phlebotomists in doctors’ offices, laboratories, hospitals, and blood donation centers.
- Veterinary Assisting- helps students prepare for the duties they have to perform in a veterinary office or clinic.
Contact Information
- Address: 10102 E. Knox Ave., Suite 200, Spokane WA 99206
- Phone: (509) 378-3628
- Website: https://carrington.edu
5Spokane Dental Assistant School
About the School
Spokane Dental Assistant School helps students become dental assistants in just nine weeks.
The school offers online and hybrid courses designed to prepare students for careers in dental offices.
Each week includes a series of pre-recorded lectures, online learning activities, and hands-on lab training.
The lab training sessions take place each Saturday while the lectures and online activities can be completed by the students during the week, at their own pace.
The tuition includes a set of scrubs, supplies, and materials.
A textbook will have to be purchased by the student separately.
Tuition for this class is $3,690 if paid in full.
The school also offers a 40-hour externship program that provides students with real-world experience.
Spokane Dental Assistant School is licensed and regulated by the Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
Graduates receive a Certificate of completion and BLS Certification.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Sterilization and Infection Control
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Moisture Control
- Radiology
- Proper Oral Hygiene
- Preventive Care
- CPR, Pain Management
- And more topics
Contact Information
- Address: 6817 N. Cedar Rd., Suite 201, Spokane, WA 99208
- Phone: 509-260-2932
- Website: https://spokanedentalassistant.com
6Therapeutic Connections School of Massage
About the School
Therapeutic Connections School of Massage is offering online and in-person training for massage therapists.
The school is located in Manito Park in a shared building with Ashtanga Yoga School.
Students have easy access from downtown Spokane off I-90.
The classes are taught by experienced instructors who are licensed as massage therapists.
Online training is mixed with in-person classes.
The program can be completed in 11 months.
The school also offers a student clinic where students provide massage therapy to people in the community.
Program graduates receive a diploma and are ready to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam.
After passing the exam, graduates become licensed massage therapists.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Introduction to Massage Therapy
- Musculoskeletal
- Massage Lab
- Practice and Theory Hands-on
- Professional Development
- Entrepreneurship
- Student Massage Clinic
- And more
The school also offers continuing education classes, such as:
- Structural Release of the Low Back
- Structural Release of the Abdominal Cavity & Psoas
- Structural Release of the Posterior Pelvis
- Structural Release of the Spine & Arms
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 505 East 24th Ave. Spokane, WA 99203
- Phone: 509-230-2307
- Website: https://tcmassageschool.com
7Glendow Academy
About the School
Glendow Academy offers training for future beauty industry professionals since 1969.
The school has been nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences since 1970.
Total education costs vary between $4,600-$18,200, depending on the program.
Courses can be completed in 21-45 weeks by full-time students.
Part-time schedules are also available.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Cosmetology – a 1,725-hour program that covers shampooing, brushing, chemical waving, hair coloring, safety, first aid, and more.
- Manicuring – 600-hour program with classes on artificial nail application, repair and removal, manicuring, pedicuring, safety, and many other skills.
- Esthetics – this 750-hour course covers topics on massages, masks, exfoliation, electrical or mechanical appliances, chemical compounds, sanitation, diseases and disorders of the skin, and more.
- Master Esthetics – this 1,200-hour program can be completed in 40 weeks and includes a laser education course, as well as body sculpting, and tattoo removal, among other topics.
- Instructor – this program is 600-hour long and is designed for those who are currently licensed in the subjects they want to teach
Contact Information
- Address: 309 West Riverside, Spokane, Wash. 99201
- Phone: 509-624-3244
- Website: https://glendow.com
8Morgan-Jane Ironworkers Blacksmith School
About the School
Morgan-Jane Ironworkers Blacksmith School offers classes for those who want to learn the blacksmithing trade.
Classes are between 2-4 weeks in length.
Classes are available for different experience levels: from introductory to advanced blacksmithing classes.
Costs vary depending on the duration of the program.
A one-week class costs $5,300 while a four-week class is $9,900.
A one-day class of eight hours costs $300.
Classes include tools such as ribbon burners, forge body, anvil, hammers, hardy tools, and more.
Courses Offered
The classes included in each curriculum depend on the duration of the program.
The one and the two-week curriculum cover topics on:
- Tools & equipment orientation
- Maintenance
- Basic forging techniques
- Toolmaking
- Metallurgy
- Basic welding
- Fire welding
- And more
Advanced techniques, basic business setup, organic forge work, jig building, and additional classes are included in the three and four-week courses.
The programs can be modified to suit each student’s experience level and the topics in which they are interested.
If part of the equipment is not needed, this can be deducted from the program’s total cost.
Contact Information
- Address: 2403 E Euclid, Spokane WA 99207
- Phone: (509) 413-9727
- Website: http://www.morganjadeironworks.com
9Horizon Medical Institute
About the School
Horizon Medical Institute is a private vocational school licensed by the Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board.
Tuition costs vary depending on the program.
The total cost for the phlebotomy program is approximately $4,600.
A 52-week Medical Assistant program costs around $11,000, while the Surgical Tech class costs around $13,000.
The above costs include tuition, registration fees, textbooks, uniform, drug screen, background checks, test fees, license fee, CPR class, and TB skin tests.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at Horizon:
- Phlebotomy Technician – a 16-week program that covers anatomy & physiology, medical terminology, lab reports, specimen processing, safety standards, and many more topics.
- IV Therapy Refresher Course
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- First Aid Training
- Medical Assistant – a 52-week program with classes in patient care techniques, surgical procedures, patient assessment, patient education, vital signs, introduction to insurance and coding, first aid, CPR, injections, and many more.
- Surgical Technologist Program – a 58-week program
The 16-week Phlebotomy Technician program includes a 120-hour externship.
The externship period is 320 hours for the Surgical Tech program and four weeks for the medical assisting program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1825 N Hutchinson Rd Suite B, Spokane Valley, WA 99212
- Phone: 509-534-1551
- Website: https://www.horizonmedicalinstitute.com
10Spokane Community College
About the School
Founded in 1963, Spokane Community College provides allied health, career technical programs, as well as transfer degrees.
The college offers more than 90 areas of study.
Spokane Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Applicants need a high school diploma or a certificate of educational competence.
Those who don’t meet these requirements but are over 18 may be granted provisional admission by the college vice president or their designee.
Courses offered
The college offers more than 90 areas of study.
Their catalog includes the programs in the following areas:
- Culture, Arts and Ideas
- Business and Office Professionals
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
- Public Services
- Hands-on and Building Trades
- Healthcare
- The Natural World
- Food and Personal Services
The hands-on and building trades pathway offers courses in:
- Architectural Technology
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration
- Mechanical Engineering
- Welding and Fabrication
- And many more
The Healthcare pathway offers classes in:
- Dental Assisting
- Echocardiography
- EMT
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Office Support
- Nursing
- And many more
Contact Information
- Address: 1810 N Greene Street, Spokane, WA 99217-5399
- Phone: 509-533-7000
- Website: https://scc.spokane.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 | 650 | $60,280 | $28.98 | $80,360 | $46,250 |
Medical Records Specialists | 450 | $54,590 | $26.24 | $69,310 | $39,220 |
Nursing Assistants | 3,310 | $43,230 | $20.78 | $49,000 | $37,260 |
Dental Assistants | 1,030 | $48,220 | $23.18 | $55,500 | $39,310 |
Medical Assistants | 1,550 | $47,450 | $22.81 | $57,870 | $37,550 |
Phlebotomists | 170 | $45,850 | $22.04 | $54,680 | $37,640 |
Electricians | 1,140 | $77,970 | $37.49 | $116,420 | $44,220 |
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 680 | $70,730 | $34 | $100,240 | $38,430 |
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 1,170 | $55,530 | $26.7 | $77,880 | $36,520 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 710 | $63,410 | $30.48 | $93,330 | $41,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
From medical assisting to welding, many professions can be learned through career-ready programs offered at trade schools.
Now that you have read our list of top Spokane trade schools, we invite you to continue with your research before deciding where to apply.
Try to gather as much information as possible about all the relevant factors, including tuition costs, accreditation, schedule, and curriculum.