Highest-paying trades in Colorado
29 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Colorado, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $60.02 | $124,830 | $92.04 | 12,550 | 14th of 51 | +7.0% | 9% above |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $59.31 | $123,360 | $65.29 | 530 | 12th of 37 | +8.3% | 12% above |
| 3 | Lineman | $49.99 | $103,980 | $63.15 | 2,370 | 20th of 51 | +6.8% | 9% above |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $42.96 | $89,350 | $46.23 | 40 | 10th of 37 | -4.2% | 17% above |
| 5 | Millwright | $39.15 | $81,440 | $45.40 | 200 | 5th of 48 | +19.0% | 24% above |
| 6 | Construction supervisor | $39.05 | $81,230 | $59.02 | 21,380 | 21st of 51 | -7.2% | 2% above |
| 7 | Crane operator | $37.08 | $77,120 | $46.86 | 470 | 17th of 50 | +27.6% | 13% above |
| 8 | Wind turbine technician | $35.94 | $74,740 | $47.91 | 410 | 7th of 25 | +4.9% | 17% above |
| 9 | Diesel mechanic | $33.89 | $70,480 | $46.37 | 4,600 | 9th of 51 | +7.6% | 14% above |
| 10 | Brickmason | $31.37 | $65,260 | $37.22 | 870 | 21st of 50 | -1.5% | 5% above |
| 11 | HVAC technician | $31.35 | $65,200 | $49.83 | 8,940 | 16th of 51 | -11.5% | 7% above |
| 12 | Plumber | $30.40 | $63,240 | $48.19 | 10,080 | 30th of 51 | -2.4% | 1% below |
| 13 | Carpenter | $30.21 | $62,830 | $43.62 | 12,740 | 14th of 51 | +10.5% | 4% above |
| 14 | Heavy equipment operator | $30.11 | $62,620 | $37.92 | 11,700 | 20th of 51 | +2.9% | 5% above |
| 15 | Glazier | $29.97 | $62,340 | $38.83 | 2,040 | 12th of 50 | +8.7% | 9% above |
| 16 | Electrician | $29.92 | $62,230 | $45.27 | 17,010 | 33rd of 51 | -0.9% | 2% below |
| 17 | Drywall installer | $29.70 | $61,780 | $38.20 | 1,560 | 11th of 49 | +11.7% | 5% above |
| 18 | Cement mason | $29.18 | $60,700 | $36.32 | 5,140 | 21st of 51 | +21.2% | 6% above |
| 19 | Machinist | $28.94 | $60,200 | $40.63 | 2,800 | 21st of 51 | +1.8% | 2% above |
| 20 | Ironworker | $28.28 | $58,830 | $39.97 | 860 | 35th of 50 | +4.7% | 6% below |
| 21 | Welder | $28.17 | $58,590 | $38.32 | 4,970 | 21st of 51 | +8.1% | 9% above |
| 22 | Sheet metal worker | $27.83 | $57,880 | $40.17 | 1,660 | 35th of 50 | -2.1% | 6% below |
| 23 | Tile setter | $27.74 | $57,690 | $40.00 | 870 | 18th of 47 | +13.9% | 4% above |
| 24 | Painter | $25.47 | $52,970 | $37.36 | 3,480 | 19th of 51 | +7.4% | 7% above |
| 25 | Roofer | $24.88 | $51,750 | $35.27 | 3,340 | 25th of 51 | +5.1% | 7% below |
| 26 | Insulation worker | $24.42 | $50,800 | $33.96 | 1,210 | 19th of 48 | — | 3% above |
| 27 | Solar installer | $23.91 | $49,730 | $36.62 | 620 | 20th of 32 | -17.8% | 6% below |
| 28 | Construction laborer | $23.03 | $47,900 | $29.81 | 18,680 | 26th of 51 | +9.9% | 2% above |
| 29 | Plasterer | $22.87 | $47,570 | $37.18 | 480 | 25th of 28 | -6.9% | 17% below |
Construction jobs in Colorado
Prevailing wage in Colorado
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Colorado, 63 of 64 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $59.17/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Colorado
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Colorado?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $60.02 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($59.31) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($49.99).
How does Colorado compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 29 trades listed, 22 pay above the national median in Colorado and 7 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 103.1% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Colorado.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).