Cities

Trade Schools in Pittsburgh

Written ByRWM Editors
Table of Contents

Known as both the "City of Bridges" and the "Steel City," Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known for its deep history in the steel industry; however, it also has a rich history in art and cutler as well. While these areas used to drive the city's economy, in recent years, the city of Pittsburgh has seen somewhat of a change in direction, leaving many prospective students asking the question, "why is Pittsburgh good for vocational students?"

Top Industries and Employers in Pittsburgh

Sure, with several well-known art museums in the city, it's easy to think that art and culture would be dominating the city's economy. However, in recent years, some of the fastest-growing industries have included:

When it comes to the highest-paying vocational careers making waves in the Pittsburgh area, trade students will also want to focus on:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a massive hub for Fortune 500 companies, including:

  • Kraft Heinz
  • U.S. Steel
  • PNC Financial Services
  • PPG Industries

However, some of the largest Pittsburgh-area employers include:

  • UPMC
  • Highmark Health
  • U.S. Government
  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Based on these employers, it looks as if those who are interested in attending technical schools in Pittsburgh should focus their attention on health care, financial, skilled trade and technology programs.

Why Is Pittsburgh Good for Trade/Vocational Students?

With so many vocational schools in the Pittsburgh area, it can be hard to narrow down your choices. If you need a little help on where to start, consider one of these Pittsburgh trade schools:

  • Pittsburgh Technical College - Provides programs in a variety of areas, including medical assisting, medical office administration, nursing, criminal justice, culinary arts, welding technology, hospitality management and energy and electronics technology
  • Forbes Road Career & Technology Center - Provides programs in dozens of areas, including cosmetology, electrical technology, diesel technology, building construction technology, advanced manufacturing and HVAC

Learn about Pennsylvania trade schools for more insight into education in the state.

Learn More about Pittsburgh

Demographics

Total Population303,587

Education and Earnings

# Enrolled in College34,645
Median Earnings Without High School Degree$18,151
Median Earnings With High School Degree$26,340
Median Earnings With Associate Degree$32,024

Commute

Average Commute Time24 minutes
% Commutes by Walking10.7%
% Commutes by Bicycle1.9%
% Commutes by Public Transportation17.9%

Housing

Median Housing Cost$891
Median Gross Rent$922
Median House Value$116,300
Source: American Community Survey, 2018, U.S. Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/.
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