Colorado Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Colorado Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Colorado
Colorado’s trade demand follows population growth in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins, alongside infrastructure and commercial development. Seasonal weather affects construction cycles, but HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building maintenance roles remain steady in populated corridors.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Colorado (from this table): Lineworker ($93,547)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $61,724 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $39,758 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Colorado.
- Most stable demand in Colorado: cold-season service work tied to heating, building systems, and occupied facilities.
- Best way to increase earnings: use shoulder seasons to add credentials and transition out of purely seasonal construction roles.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($93,547) · CDL Truck Driver ($78,578) · AV Technician ($72,675)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Colorado
Demand is shaped most by front-range metro growth paired with weather-driven construction cycles that reshape demand throughout the year, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
In Colorado, earnings fluctuate with the calendar—summer construction can mean long hours and overtime, while colder months shift income toward service, troubleshooting, and maintenance-heavy roles.
- Outlook: Seasonal (construction peaks, service steady)
- What drives demand: front-range metro growth paired with weather-driven construction cycles that reshape demand throughout the year.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Colorado
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Colorado. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $28.10 | $1,124 | $4,872 | $58,469 |
| AV Technician | $34.94 | $1,398 | $6,056 | $72,675 |
| Carpenter | $27.35 | $1,094 | $4,741 | $56,888 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $37.73 | $1,511 | $6,548 | $78,578 |
| CNC Machinist | $25.86 | $1,034 | $4,482 | $53,789 |
| Construction | $27.46 | $1,098 | $4,760 | $57,117 |
| Concrete Finisher | $30.11 | $1,204 | $5,219 | $62,629 |
| Diesel Technician | $31.22 | $1,249 | $5,412 | $64,938 |
| Electrician | $33.04 | $1,322 | $5,727 | $68,723 |
| Heavy Equipment | $26.94 | $1,064 | $4,612 | $55,347 |
| HVAC Technician | $30.47 | $1,219 | $5,282 | $63,382 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $30.12 | $1,205 | $5,222 | $62,661 |
| Ironworker | $28.70 | $1,150 | $4,984 | $59,802 |
| Lineworker | $44.97 | $1,799 | $7,796 | $93,547 |
| Marine Mechanic | $31.11 | $1,244 | $5,392 | $64,711 |
| Mason | $29.24 | $1,170 | $5,068 | $60,819 |
| Plumber | $34.96 | $1,383 | $5,993 | $71,918 |
| Roofer | $26.03 | $1,041 | $4,512 | $54,142 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $27.57 | $1,091 | $4,731 | $56,769 |
| Welder | $26.41 | $1,050 | $4,542 | $54,508 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
How Easy It Is to Find Trade Jobs in Colorado
Entry difficulty: Moderate, with strong metro and infrastructure demand. Colorado offers solid access to trade employment driven by population growth, infrastructure expansion, and ongoing maintenance needs, though competition can be higher in fast-growing metro areas. Licensing requirements exist in some trades but are generally manageable compared to more heavily regulated states.
Unlike states dominated by large-scale industrial facilities or year-round construction, Colorado’s trade demand is shaped by a mix of residential growth, commercial development, utilities, and climate-related maintenance. Rapid expansion along the Front Range, combined with aging infrastructure in mountain and rural areas, sustains demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and general construction trades.
Seasonal weather can affect construction schedules in some regions, but population growth and infrastructure investment help offset downtime with steady year-round hiring across many trades.
What Actually Drives Trade Hiring in Colorado
- Population growth along the Front Range: Residential and commercial development supports ongoing demand for core construction trades.
- Utilities and infrastructure expansion: Power, water, and transportation systems require skilled maintenance and upgrade work.
- Climate-related building needs: Heating, insulation, and weather-resistant systems increase demand for HVAC and electrical trades.
- Public-sector projects: Transportation and municipal construction provide consistent trade employment.
Where Trade Jobs Are Concentrated — and Why
- Denver metro area: The state’s largest growth center, driving demand across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
- Colorado Springs: Military facilities, healthcare systems, and regional development support steady trade hiring.
- Mountain and resort regions: Ongoing maintenance, renovation, and infrastructure work sustains skilled trade roles.
Construction, Infrastructure, and Climate Anchors
Colorado’s trade workforce is supported by long-term growth and maintenance needs rather than short-term construction booms:
- Residential and commercial construction — Continued development supports framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades.
- Utilities and transportation systems — Skilled trades maintain and expand essential infrastructure.
- Climate-resilient building systems — Heating, insulation, and energy systems drive specialized trade demand.
How Trade Workers Actually Get Hired in Colorado
Trade jobs in Colorado are commonly secured through contractor hiring, technical training programs, and apprenticeship pathways tied to metro growth:
- Contractor and subcontractor hiring: Many workers enter through local construction and specialty firms.
- Community colleges and trade schools: Programs feed directly into electrical, HVAC, and plumbing roles.
- Registered apprenticeships: Used across electrical and mechanical trades, particularly in urban markets.
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