Do welders need a license in Colorado?

No statewide license is required for welders in Colorado. Most employers expect industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW), and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification.

What apprenticeships are available for welders 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 Welder in Colorado (2026)

Q: How much do welders earn in Colorado?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), welders in Colorado earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,590. Employment concentration in Colorado is roughly 0.65 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for welders in Colorado?

Colorado currently employs approximately 4,970 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Colorado welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median annual wage of $58,590 ($28.17/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,970 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 9.0% above the national median of $53,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,590 ($28.17/hr)
25th percentile: $47,860 per year
75th percentile: $69,540 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $79,700 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $44,100 per year
Workers employed in Colorado: 4,970
Versus national median: 9.0% above the U.S. median of $53,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.65 - 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 about 4,970 welders earning a median $58,590 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most welders train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Compare Welder Schools in Colorado

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Emily Griffith Technical College	74.9	Contact school for pricing	$45,935	97%	—	0 mi
2	Laramie County Community College	67.1	$4,613 in-state / $10,913 out-of-state	$49,818	38%	Yes*	95 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	Red Rocks Community College	64.2	$4,859 in-state / $17,459 out-of-state	$62,695	32%	Yes*	9 mi
4	Front Range Community College	61.3	$4,663 in-state / $17,263 out-of-state	$50,353	35%	Yes*	12 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Morgan Community College	59.9	$4,252 in-state / $16,852 out-of-state	$48,025	45%	Yes*	74 mi
6	Pickens Technical College	55.0	$5,140 in-state / $9,250 out-of-state	$44,693	76%	—	11 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Aims Community College	52.8	$2,258 in-state / $11,786 out-of-state	$51,704	40%	Yes*	47 mi
8	Pikes Peak State College	50.3	$4,510 in-state / $17,110 out-of-state	$48,538	21%	Yes*	68 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Lincoln College of Technology-Denver	43.8	Contact school for pricing	$51,742	71%	—	8 mi
10	Community College of Denver	37.0	$4,902 in-state / $17,136 out-of-state	$53,984	20%	Yes*	1 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Colorado employs approximately 4,970 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,590 ¹. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 45,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Welder in Colorado, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Colorado): $58,590 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Welder in Colorado

How to become a Welder in Colorado? Colorado does not require a state license for welders, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW) and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths into the welder field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Colorado? No state license is required, but certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW) and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification are expected by most employers.

What do welders earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for welders in Colorado is $58,590 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,100 and experienced professionals can earn $79,700 or more ¹.

How to Become a Welder in Colorado

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Colorado training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Colorado that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While Colorado does not require a statewide license, earn AWS Certified Welder (CW) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Welder Certification Options in Colorado

Colorado does not require a state license to work as a welder. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for welders include:

AWS Certified Welder (CW)
OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification

For more information, visit the American Welding Society (AWS) ³. Contact training programs in Colorado for details on certification preparation courses.

Welder 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]

Welder Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers 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	1,990	$58,890	$61,470	$45,060	$79,700
Greeley	730	$59,180	$59,570	$43,980	$76,010
Colorado Springs	470	$55,270	$59,190	$43,760	$95,430
Fort Collins-Loveland	440	$59,660	$59,610	$44,350	$74,130
Pueblo	310	$51,190	$54,290	$42,520	$66,560
Boulder	260	$65,040	$62,840	$46,350	$76,200
Grand Junction	170	$51,580	$56,350	$40,800	$74,620

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for welders in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 4,970 welders ¹. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% 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 programs in Colorado. You can also contact the Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do welders earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in Colorado is $58,590, which is $7,590 above the national median of $51,000 according to BLS data ¹.

In Colorado

Best Trade Schools in Colorado (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Colorado

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
American Welding Society (AWS): https://www.aws.org/certification/ ↩︎
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)