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:
- Health Care
- Education
- State Government
- Financial Services
- Technology
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Research
When it comes to the highest-paying vocational careers making waves in the Pittsburgh area, trade students will also want to focus on:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Life Sciences & Health Care
- Energy
- Information Technology
- Robotics & Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Construction
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 Population | 303,587 |
Education and Earnings | # Enrolled in College | 34,645 |
| 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 Time | 24 minutes |
| % Commutes by Walking | 10.7% | |
| % Commutes by Bicycle | 1.9% | |
| % Commutes by Public Transportation | 17.9% |
Housing | Median Housing Cost | $891 |
| Median Gross Rent | $922 | |
| Median House Value | $116,300 |