"How long does it take to become a cnc machinist in Colorado?"

"Most paths into the cnc machinist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"What apprenticeships are available for cnc machinists in Colorado?"

"In Colorado, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A CNC Machinist in Colorado

Q: "How much do cnc machinists earn in Colorado?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cnc machinists in Colorado earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,200. Employment concentration in Colorado is roughly 0.53 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Colorado?"

"Colorado currently employs approximately 2,800 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Colorado machinists earn a median annual wage of $60,200 ($28.94/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,800 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.5% above the national median of $58,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $60,200 ($28.94/hr)
25th percentile: $49,170 per year
75th percentile: $74,110 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $84,510 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $44,650 per year
Workers employed in Colorado: 2,800
Versus national median: 2.5% above the U.S. median of $58,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.53 - this occupation is less concentrated in Colorado than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Colorado employs approximately 2,800 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,200 ¹. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 29,500 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a cnc machinist in Colorado, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in Colorado

How do I become a cnc machinist in Colorado? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Colorado.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do cnc machinists earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Colorado is $60,200 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,650 and experienced professionals can earn $84,510 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Colorado): $60,200 per year ¹

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in Colorado

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Colorado’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship ³.

Contact Information:

Office: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Apprenticeship
Address: 633 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202-3660
Phone: (720) 204-8608
Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), machinists wages in Colorado vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Denver-Aurora-Centennial	1,050	$60,620	$64,370	$46,810	$84,510
Fort Collins-Loveland	480	$61,500	$61,100	$47,460	$76,950
Colorado Springs	380	$57,510	$58,730	$38,080	$76,910
Greeley	260	$58,340	$60,720	$41,540	$80,550
Boulder	240	$63,990	$71,010	$48,770	$103,170
Grand Junction	100	$49,180	$52,190	$39,070	$68,060
Pueblo	90	$57,230	$58,640	$46,730	$73,440

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Cnc machinists in Colorado

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cnc machinist employment within Colorado according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Denver-Aurora-Centennial	1,050	$60,620
Fort Collins-Loveland	480	$61,500
Colorado Springs	380	$57,510
Greeley	260	$58,340
Boulder	240	$63,990

Explore cnc machinist programs in Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs.

Explore More Trades in Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 2,800 cnc machinists ¹. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Colorado. You can also contact the Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Colorado is $60,200, which is $4,050 above the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)