Electrician in Colorado: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Colorado employs 17,010 electricians, with a statewide median of $62,230 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in Colorado (May 2025)
- Colorado median pay
- $62,230 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $45,520
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $78,470
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $94,160
- Employed in Colorado
- 17,010
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Colorado markets:
- Boulder
- $64,120 (420 employed)
- Greeley
- $63,290 (1,240 employed)
- Denver
- $63,150 (10,450 employed)
- Fort Collins
- $61,410 (830 employed)
- Colorado Springs
- $59,210 (1,290 employed)
- Grand Junction
- $56,550 (430 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Colorado
Prices in Colorado run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,230 median is worth closer to $60,359 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)
Colorado is projected to grow electricians employment +31.0%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,340 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Colorado License and Certification Requirements
Registered Electrical Apprentice → Residential Wireman / Journeyman Electrician — regulated by the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA, Division of Professions & Occupations).
- Register as an electrical apprentice with DORA so your hours count from day one — no prior experience required.
- Build hours under licensed electricians: Residential Wireman needs 4,000 hours (1–4 unit dwellings); Journeyman needs 8,000 hours including 4,000 of commercial/industrial, plus documented related classroom training.
- Pass the state licensing exam (administered for DORA) for your license level.
Training in Colorado
Colorado apprentices earn while they learn. Look for openings through IBEW locals, IEC Rocky Mountain, or ABC; Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins have steady demand.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:
- Colorado Mesa University — Certificate / Associate
- Emily Griffith Technical College — Certificate
- Intellitec College-Colorado Springs — Certificate
- Intellitec College-Grand Junction — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.
Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.
Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
First Steps
Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Colorado?
The median wage for electricians in Colorado is $62,230 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,520, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $94,160. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Colorado?
Registered Electrical Apprentice → Residential Wireman / Journeyman Electrician, overseen by the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA, Division of Professions & Occupations). Register as an electrical apprentice with DORA so your hours count from day one — no prior experience required.
Is being an Electrician a good career in Colorado?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which Colorado metros pay electricians the most?
Among Colorado metro areas, Boulder leads at $64,120, followed by Greeley ($63,290), Denver ($63,150). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Electrician in Colorado?
Real Colorado options include Colorado Mesa University, Emily Griffith Technical College, Intellitec College-Colorado Springs. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in Colorado?
Colorado projects electricians employment to change +31.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,340 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Colorado statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA, Division of Professions & Occupations) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Colorado wages · Colorado licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.