Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Colorado
29 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
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 |
Most in-demand trades in Colorado
By the Colorado labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+61.1%), solar installers (+38.4%), electricians (+31.0%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (2,770 a year), construction supervisors (2,420 a year), electricians (2,340 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 57,097 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +61.1% | 110 | 660 | $35.94 |
| Solar installer | +38.4% | 90 | 650 | $23.91 |
| Electrician | +31.0% | 2,340 | 18,050 | $29.92 |
| HVAC technician | +28.3% | 1,120 | 9,440 | $31.35 |
| Construction manager | +25.9% | 2,210 | 20,260 | $60.02 |
| Elevator mechanic | +25.9% | 40 | 380 | $59.31 |
| Roofer | +25.7% | 400 | 3,840 | $24.88 |
| Tile setter | +23.5% | 70 | 710 | $27.74 |
| Plumber | +22.6% | 1,190 | 10,460 | $30.40 |
| Plasterer | +22.5% | 80 | 710 | $22.87 |
| Glazier | +22.2% | 220 | 1,920 | $29.97 |
| Drywall installer | +22.2% | 200 | 2,000 | $29.70 |
| Brickmason | +21.9% | 140 | 1,250 | $31.37 |
| Painter | +21.8% | 590 | 5,680 | $25.47 |
| Insulation worker | +21.6% | 110 | 970 | $24.42 |
| Construction supervisor | +21.4% | 2,420 | 22,570 | $39.05 |
| Construction laborer | +20.5% | 2,770 | 25,920 | $23.03 |
| Carpenter | +20.1% | 1,860 | 17,880 | $30.21 |
| Ironworker | +19.2% | 110 | 1,060 | $28.28 |
| Crane operator | +18.3% | 70 | 590 | $37.08 |
| Sheet metal worker | +16.7% | 180 | 1,660 | $27.83 |
| Cement mason | +16.5% | 470 | 5,160 | $29.18 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +16.1% | 1,280 | 12,390 | $30.11 |
| Millwright | +15.0% | 20 | 250 | $39.15 |
| Diesel mechanic | +10.3% | 480 | 4,850 | $33.89 |
| Welder | +7.1% | 520 | 4,750 | $28.17 |
| Lineman | +4.6% | 190 | 2,280 | $49.99 |
| Machinist | +0.5% | 260 | 2,630 | $28.94 |
Source: Colorado long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
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 $61.75/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 mechanics ($59.31) and linemen ($49.99).
Which trades are in highest demand in Colorado?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+61.1%), solar installers (+38.4%), electricians (+31.0%). By openings a year, construction laborers (2,770 a year), construction supervisors (2,420 a year), electricians (2,340 a year). The figures come from Colorado's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).