How to Become A Plumber in Colorado
Colorado employs approximately 10,080 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,240 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a plumber in Colorado, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Colorado
How do I become a plumber in Colorado? Colorado requires credentials such as Journeyman Plumber, Residential Plumber, Master Plumber. The licensing authority is the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Plumbers. 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 plumbers. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for plumbers in Colorado is $63,240 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,770 and experienced professionals can earn $100,240 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 Plumbers
- Median wage (Colorado): $63,240 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Colorado
The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Plumbers oversees plumber licensing in Colorado.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Journeyman Plumber | The State Plumbing Board licenses, registers, and regulates plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors. The Board does not regulate pipe fitters, drain cleaners, or gas pipe installers. |
| Residential Plumber | The State Plumbing Board licenses, registers, and regulates plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors. The Board does not regulate pipe fitters, drain cleaners, or gas pipe installers. |
| Master Plumber | The State Plumbing Board licenses, registers, and regulates plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors. The Board does not regulate pipe fitters, drain cleaners, or gas pipe installers. |
| Plumbing Contractor | The State Plumbing Board licenses, registers, and regulates plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors. The Board does not regulate pipe fitters, drain cleaners, or gas pipe installers. |
| Plumbing Apprentice | The State Plumbing Board licenses, registers, and regulates plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors. The Board does not regulate pipe fitters, drain cleaners, or gas pipe installers. |
| Water Conditioning Contractor | The State Plumbing Board licenses, registers, and regulates plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors. The Board does not regulate pipe fitters, drain cleaners, or gas pipe installers. |
| Water Conditioning Installer | The State Plumbing Board licenses, registers, and regulates plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors. The Board does not regulate pipe fitters, drain cleaners, or gas pipe installers. |
| Water Conditioning Principal | The State Plumbing Board licenses, registers, and regulates plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors. The Board does not regulate pipe fitters, drain cleaners, or gas pipe installers. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Plumber 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: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Apprenticeship
- Address: 633 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202-3660
- Phone: (720) 204-8608
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters 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 | 5,750 | $63,900 | $71,910 | $48,640 | $102,770 |
| Colorado Springs | 1,060 | $60,510 | $64,940 | $46,070 | $87,730 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | 800 | $60,610 | $64,440 | $45,070 | $93,320 |
| Greeley | 520 | $59,350 | $62,400 | $46,790 | $81,180 |
| Boulder | 420 | $64,890 | $72,550 | $49,470 | $101,270 |
| Grand Junction | 300 | $61,430 | $64,630 | $45,170 | $91,580 |
| Pueblo | 150 | $64,700 | $72,220 | $44,550 | $112,390 |
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 Plumbers in Colorado
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber 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 | 5,750 | $63,900 |
| Colorado Springs | 1,060 | $60,510 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | 800 | $60,610 |
| Greeley | 520 | $59,350 |
| Boulder | 420 | $64,890 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Colorado
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers 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 $41.32 per hour in base pay plus $16.01 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $57.33 (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 plumber work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 10,080 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Colorado with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Board of Plumbers 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 plumbers earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Colorado is $63,240, which is $270 above the national median of $62,970 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) |