Electrician Career Guide in Colorado
Explore electrician salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Colorado.
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How to Become an Electrician in Colorado
Colorado electricians commonly begin as registered electrical apprentices employed by licensed electrical contractors. Apprentices combine supervised on-the-job experience with classroom education covering electrical theory, wiring methods, blueprint reading, safety, and the National Electrical Code. Employers are responsible for properly registering apprentices and complying with supervision requirements.
Most electricians in Colorado complete a four-year registered apprenticeship sponsored by IBEW, Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), or licensed electrical contractors. Apprentices receive approximately 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training together with classroom instruction covering electrical theory, National Electrical Code (NEC), Colorado electrical regulations, conduit installation, commercial and residential wiring, industrial electrical systems, motor controls, blueprint reading, and OSHA safety standards.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Electrician Salary in Colorado
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Colorado median wage for electrician workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,350, the median wage in Colorado is approximately $260 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Electricians in Colorado
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONElectrician Training Requirements in Colorado
A Colorado Journeyman Electrician applicant generally must document 8,000 hours of qualifying experience earned over at least four years, including at least 2,000 hours of commercial or industrial work. Applicants must also document 288 hours of required classroom education and pass the state examination. A Residential Wireman applicant generally needs 4,000 hours of residential experience earned over at least two years.
Electrical Theory & National Electrical Code
Students study electrical theory, electrical calculations, conductor sizing, grounding, bonding, electrical circuits, transformers, and National Electrical Code requirements.
Residential & Commercial Wiring
Training includes service equipment, branch circuits, panelboards, conduit installation, blueprint interpretation, lighting systems, electrical troubleshooting, and code-compliant installations.
Industrial Electrical Systems
Programs emphasize industrial controls, programmable logic controllers (PLC), three-phase power systems, motor controls, automation equipment, manufacturing systems, and preventive maintenance.
Electrical Safety & OSHA Standards
Apprentices receive instruction in lockout/tagout procedures, arc-flash protection, personal protective equipment, ladder safety, fall protection, confined space awareness, and safe work around energized electrical systems.
Renewable Energy Technologies
Many Colorado apprenticeship programs include solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, energy-efficient electrical systems, and smart building technologies.
Electrician Training Providers in Colorado
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood | View Program |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver | View Program |
| Front Range Community College | Westminster | View Program |
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs | View Program |
| Community College of Denver | Denver | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESElectrician Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado
Colorado IEC Apprenticeship
Organization: Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain
Colorado Registered Apprenticeship
Organization: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Electrician Licensing Requirements in Colorado
Colorado does not issue a statewide Journeyman Electrician license through local governments. Instead, electrician licensing is administered statewide by the Colorado State Electrical Board within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Individuals typically begin as registered apprentices before qualifying for the Journeyman Electrician License after meeting work experience requirements and passing the state examination. Electricians may later qualify for a Master Electrician License, while electrical contractors must obtain an Electrical Contractor License before operating an electrical contracting business.
Colorado requires individuals performing regulated electrical work to hold the appropriate state license or apprentice registration. Electrical apprentices must be registered and directly supervised by a Colorado-licensed electrician. Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician licenses have different experience, education, examination, and permitted-scope requirements.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSElectrician Job Outlook in Colorado
Colorado projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 17% from 2022 to 2032, increasing from about 18,060 to 21,130 jobs. The state is expected to have approximately 2,010 electrician openings per year, including openings created by employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation.
Colorado continues to experience strong demand for electricians due to rapid population growth, commercial construction, renewable energy development, technology companies, data centers, healthcare facilities, and public infrastructure projects. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, and Boulder remain major employment markets. Solar energy installations, battery storage projects, and electric vehicle infrastructure continue expanding employment opportunities for licensed electricians throughout the state.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the electrician salary in Colorado?
The statewide median wage for electricians in Colorado is approximately $62,090 per year, or $29.85 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Colorado require electrician licensing?
Yes. Colorado requires individuals performing regulated, non-exempt electrician work to hold the appropriate license or credential. Applicants should verify the current license category, experience, examination, and renewal requirements with Colorado State Electrical Board — Division of Professions and Occupations.
How long does it take to become an electrician in Colorado?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A Colorado Journeyman Electrician license generally requires 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training and passage of the required examination.
Are electricians in demand in Colorado?
Colorado projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 17% from 2022 to 2032, with about 2,010 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Colorado Wages for Electrician (SOC 47-2111) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Colorado Electrician Wages
- Colorado Electrician Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Colorado Electrician Employment Trends
- Colorado State Electrical Board — Division of Professions and Occupations — Licensing authority. Colorado State Electrical Board — Division of Professions and Occupations