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

Skilled trades

Colorado employs 4,970 welders, with a statewide median of $58,590 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Colorado (May 2025)

Colorado median pay: $58,590 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $44,100
Experienced (75th percentile): $69,540
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,700
Employed in Colorado: 4,970
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Boulder: $65,040 (260 employed)
Fort Collins: $59,660 (440 employed)
Greeley: $59,180 (730 employed)
Denver: $58,890 (1,990 employed)
Colorado Springs: $55,270 (470 employed)
Grand Junction: $51,580 (170 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 $58,590 median is worth closer to $56,828 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)

Colorado is projected to grow welders employment +7.1%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 520 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Colorado License and Certification Requirements

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests — regulated by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven.

Colorado does not license welders.
Train at a community-college or technical welding program, or through an apprenticeship.
Pass employer or AWS weld tests for the processes and codes you'll work (e.g., structural, pipe).

Official requirements: No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven →

Training in Colorado

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Energy, manufacturing, and construction drive Colorado demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:

Aims Community College — Certificate / Associate
Colorado Mesa University — Certificate / Associate
Colorado Mountain College — Certificate
Community College of Denver — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in Colorado?

The median wage for welders in Colorado is $58,590 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,100, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,700. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. Colorado does not license welders.

Is being a Welder a good career in Colorado?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which Colorado metros pay welders the most?

Among Colorado metro areas, Boulder leads at $65,040, followed by Fort Collins ($59,660), Greeley ($59,180). 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 Welder in Colorado?

Real Colorado options include Aims Community College, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado Mountain College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Colorado?

Colorado projects welders employment to change +7.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 520 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 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven (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.