How to Become An Electrician in Colorado
Colorado employs approximately 17,010 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,230 1. The state’s concentration of electrician jobs is 1.22x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 81,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an electrician in Colorado, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Electrician in Colorado
How do I become an electrician in Colorado? Colorado requires credentials such as Journeyman Electrician, Electrician Apprentice, Master Electrician. The licensing authority is the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Electrical. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
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.
Do I need a license in Colorado? Yes. Colorado has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for electricians in Colorado is $62,230 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,520 and experienced professionals can earn $94,160 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Electrical
- Median wage (Colorado): $62,230 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Electrician License Requirements in Colorado
The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Electrical oversees electrician licensing in Colorado.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | The State Electrical Board licenses, registers, and regulates electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors. |
| Electrician Apprentice | The State Electrical Board licenses, registers, and regulates electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors. |
| Master Electrician | The State Electrical Board licenses, registers, and regulates electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors. |
| Electrical Contractor | The State Electrical Board licenses, registers, and regulates electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors. |
| Residential Wireman | The State Electrical Board licenses, registers, and regulates electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Electrician 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 4.
Contact Information:
- Office: Denver Joint Electrical Apprenticeship & Training Committee
- Address: 5610 Logan St,, Denver, CO 80216
- Phone: (303) 295-1903
- Email: [email protected]
Electrician Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), electricians 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 | 10,450 | $63,150 | $67,590 | $46,070 | $94,160 |
| Colorado Springs | 1,290 | $59,210 | $61,310 | $40,410 | $81,630 |
| Greeley | 1,240 | $63,290 | $67,230 | $43,010 | $94,540 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | 830 | $61,410 | $64,930 | $44,720 | $91,880 |
| Grand Junction | 430 | $56,550 | $58,790 | $39,140 | $80,190 |
| Boulder | 420 | $64,120 | $68,220 | $47,110 | $94,890 |
| Pueblo | 360 | $60,200 | $63,720 | $38,770 | $94,900 |
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 Electricians in Colorado
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest electrician 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 | 10,450 | $63,150 |
| Colorado Springs | 1,290 | $59,210 |
| Greeley | 1,240 | $63,290 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | 830 | $61,410 |
| Grand Junction | 430 | $56,550 |
Explore electrician programs in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Greeley.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Colorado
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in Colorado earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Colorado general wage determinations show approximately $31.75 per hour in base pay plus $13.25 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $45.00 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 5.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within electrician work.
Explore More Trades in Colorado
- Plumber in Colorado
- HVAC Technician in Colorado
- Welder in Colorado
- Carpenter in Colorado
- Solar Installation Technician in Colorado
- Auto Mechanic in Colorado
- CNC Machinist in Colorado
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Colorado
- Medical Assistant in Colorado
- Massage Therapist in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for electricians in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 17,010 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Colorado with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Electrical for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 electricians earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Colorado is $62,230, which is $120 below the national median of $62,350 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
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) |