Millwright in Colorado: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Colorado employs 200 millwrights, with a statewide median of $81,440 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Colorado (May 2025)

Colorado median pay: $81,440 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $51,000
Experienced (75th percentile): $83,600
Top earners (90th percentile): $94,420
Employed in Colorado: 200
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for millwrights in major Colorado markets:

Denver: $83,600 (150 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 $81,440 median is worth closer to $78,991 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)

Colorado is projected to grow millwrights employment +15.0%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Colorado License and Certification Requirements

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship — regulated by the No Colorado state license — union apprenticeship path.

Colorado does not license millwrights.
Apply to a United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Millwright regional apprenticeship (earn-while-you-learn, ~4 years).
Complete on-the-job training plus related instruction in precision machinery installation and alignment.

Official requirements: No Colorado state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Colorado

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Manufacturing, power, and industrial plants are the employers; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:

Morgan Community College — Certificate / Associate
Pueblo Community College — Certificate / Associate
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like mechanical puzzles, want solid union wages, and are comfortable with industrial environments.

Think twice if: Heavy lifting, industrial noise, and working around large moving machinery sounds miserable rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

First Steps

Contact the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Millwright division or check local industrial union apprenticeship openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do millwrights make in Colorado?

The median wage for millwrights in Colorado is $81,440 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,000, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $94,420. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Millwright in Colorado?

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship, overseen by the No Colorado state license — union apprenticeship path. Colorado does not license millwrights.

Is being a Millwright a good career in Colorado?

Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

Which Colorado metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Colorado metro areas, Denver leads at $83,600. 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 a Millwright in Colorado?

Real Colorado options include Morgan Community College, Pueblo Community College, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Colorado?

Colorado projects millwrights employment to change +15.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Colorado state license — union apprenticeship path (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.