Plumber in Colorado: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Colorado employs 10,080 plumbers, with a statewide median of $63,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.
What Plumbers Earn in Colorado (May 2025)
- Colorado median pay
- $63,240 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $47,770
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $78,740
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $100,240
- Employed in Colorado
- 10,080
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,970 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Colorado markets:
- Boulder
- $64,890 (420 employed)
- Denver
- $63,900 (5,750 employed)
- Grand Junction
- $61,430 (300 employed)
- Fort Collins
- $60,610 (800 employed)
- Colorado Springs
- $60,510 (1,060 employed)
- Greeley
- $59,350 (520 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 $63,240 median is worth closer to $61,339 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)
Colorado is projected to grow plumbers employment +22.6%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Colorado License and Certification Requirements
Registered Apprentice → Residential / Journeyman Plumber — regulated by the Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA).
- Register as a plumbing apprentice with DORA within 30 days of starting work ($30).
- Accumulate hours under a licensed plumber: Residential plumber 3,400 hours (~2 years); Journeyman 6,800 hours (~4 years).
- Pass the licensing exam (PSI). Licensed plumbers complete continuing education each renewal period.
Official requirements: Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA) →
Training in Colorado
Earn-while-you-learn through UA Local apprenticeships, PHCC, or plumbing contractors that sponsor apprentices. Strong, recession-resistant demand across the Front Range.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:
- Emily Griffith Technical College — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.
Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.
Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.
First Steps
Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Colorado?
The median wage for plumbers in Colorado is $63,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,770, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,240. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Colorado?
Registered Apprentice → Residential / Journeyman Plumber, overseen by the Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA). Register as a plumbing apprentice with DORA within 30 days of starting work ($30).
Is being a Plumber a good career in Colorado?
Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.
Which Colorado metros pay plumbers the most?
Among Colorado metro areas, Boulder leads at $64,890, followed by Denver ($63,900), Grand Junction ($61,430). 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 Plumber in Colorado?
Real Colorado options include Emily Griffith Technical College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Plumber a growing career in Colorado?
Colorado projects plumbers employment to change +22.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,190 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 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA) (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.