Sheet metal worker salary in Colorado
Median $27.83 an hour for 1,660 sheet metal workers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Sheet metal worker pay in Colorado: the full range
Colorado ranks 35th of 50 states for median sheet metal worker pay, and 39th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $26.99). 1,660 sheet metal workers work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $21.05 – $22.60 | $43,780 – $47,010 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $22.60 – $33.85 | $47,010 – $70,400 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $33.85 – $40.17 | $70,400 – $83,550 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Sheet metal worker pay by metro in Colorado
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $22.13 | $29.63 | $40.65 | 880 | 6% above |
| Boulder | $19.20 | $26.75 | $41.06 | 60 | 4% below |
| Fort Collins | $16.87 | $25.31 | $38.36 | 80 | 9% below |
| Greeley | $19.59 | $24.05 | $36.02 | 120 | 14% below |
| Grand Junction | $18.72 | $23.56 | $37.20 | 90 | 15% below |
| Pueblo | $18.39 | $23.54 | $37.19 | 60 | 15% below |
| Colorado Springs | $18.46 | $22.86 | $36.70 | 180 | 18% below |
Sheet metal worker wages in Colorado over time
Table
| Year | Colorado $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $15.10 | $29.18 | $14.09 | 4,440 |
| 2000 | $15.67 | $29.30 | $15.31 | 3,200 |
| 2001 | $16.16 | $29.38 | $15.97 | 2,890 |
| 2002 | $16.88 | $30.21 | $16.62 | 3,880 |
| 2003 | $15.75 | $27.56 | $16.83 | 3,520 |
| 2004 | $15.19 | $25.89 | $17.09 | 3,830 |
| 2005 | $15.08 | $24.86 | $17.50 | 4,030 |
| 2006 | $16.07 | $25.66 | $17.96 | 3,620 |
| 2007 | $17.78 | $27.61 | $18.85 | 2,890 |
| 2008 | $18.91 | $28.28 | $19.37 | 2,730 |
| 2009 | $18.68 | $28.03 | $19.54 | 2,520 |
| 2010 | $19.65 | $29.01 | $20.05 | 2,320 |
| 2011 | $21.57 | $30.87 | $20.55 | 2,080 |
| 2012 | $22.00 | $30.85 | $20.81 | 2,080 |
| 2013 | $20.83 | $28.79 | $21.10 | 2,400 |
| 2014 | $20.20 | $27.47 | $21.67 | 3,050 |
| 2015 | $20.93 | $28.43 | $21.99 | 3,460 |
| 2016 | $21.31 | $28.59 | $22.57 | 3,310 |
| 2017 | $22.02 | $28.92 | $23.07 | 3,290 |
| 2018 | $21.21 | $27.19 | $23.30 | 2,870 |
| 2019 | $23.28 | $29.32 | $24.23 | 2,340 |
| 2020 | $23.60 | $29.36 | $24.70 | 1,910 |
| 2021 | $23.29 | $27.67 | $25.69 | 1,900 |
| 2022 | $23.99 | $26.39 | $26.61 | 2,190 |
| 2023 | $26.17 | $27.65 | $28.26 | 2,070 |
| 2024 | $27.82 | $28.55 | $29.26 | 1,620 |
| 2025 | $27.83 | $27.83 | $29.71 | 1,660 |
In today's dollars, the median sheet metal worker wage in Colorado changed by -2.1% over the last ten years of data.
Union scale and prevailing wage for sheet metal workers in Colorado
On federally funded construction in Colorado, contractors must pay sheet metal workers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 64 of the 64 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $65.70 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical —). The market median for the state is $27.83.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260015 |
| Alamosa | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Arapahoe | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260016 |
| Archuleta | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Baca | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Bent | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Boulder | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260017 |
| Broomfield | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260018 |
| Chaffee | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Cheyenne | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Clear Creek | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260019 |
| Conejos | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Costilla | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Crowley | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Custer | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Delta | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Denver | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260020 |
| Dolores | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Douglas | Union SHEE0009-005 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260021 |
| Eagle | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Elbert | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260030 |
| El Paso | Union SHEE0009-009 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260022 |
| Fremont | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Garfield | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Gilpin | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260030 |
| Grand | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Gunnison | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Hinsdale | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Huerfano | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Jackson | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Jefferson | Union SHEE0009-006 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260023 |
| Kiowa | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Kit Carson | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Lake | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| La Plata | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Larimer | Union SHEE0009-007 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260024 |
| Las Animas | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Lincoln | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Logan | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Mesa | Union SHEE0009-006 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260025 |
| Mineral | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Moffat | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Montezuma | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Montrose | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Morgan | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Otero | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Ouray | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Park | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260026 |
| Phillips | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Pitkin | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Prowers | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Pueblo | Union SHEE0009-008 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260027 |
| Rio Blanco | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Rio Grande | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Routt | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Saguache | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| San Juan | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| San Miguel | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Sedgwick | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Summit | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Teller | Union SHEE0009-005 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260028 |
| Washington | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
| Weld | Union SHEE0009-004 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260029 |
| Yuma | Union SHEE0009-001 2025-07-01 | $43.05 | $22.65 | $65.70 | CO20260001 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Colorado prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Colorado?
Contractor pay by county
Average pay at plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just sheet metal workers), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
| County | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver County | 3,822 | $96,160 | $1,849 |
| Adams County | 4,433 | $91,222 | $1,754 |
| Jefferson County | 2,896 | $89,541 | $1,722 |
| Eagle County | 693 | $87,820 | $1,689 |
| Arapahoe County | 3,020 | $86,895 | $1,671 |
| Boulder County | 1,046 | $85,478 | $1,644 |
| Gilpin County | 10 | $84,381 | $1,623 |
| Archuleta County | 136 | $83,473 | $1,605 |
| Larimer County | 2,702 | $80,576 | $1,550 |
| Douglas County | 998 | $79,351 | $1,526 |
| Summit County | 193 | $78,598 | $1,512 |
| San Miguel County | 80 | $76,335 | $1,468 |
| El Paso County | 2,930 | $76,220 | $1,466 |
| Mesa County | 876 | $76,044 | $1,462 |
| Weld County | 1,404 | $75,791 | $1,458 |
| Garfield County | 662 | $75,479 | $1,452 |
| Pitkin County | 57 | $74,728 | $1,437 |
| La Plata County | 304 | $72,780 | $1,400 |
| Grand County | 118 | $71,696 | $1,379 |
| Moffat County | 64 | $70,769 | $1,361 |
| Lake County | 18 | $70,760 | $1,361 |
| Gunnison County | 78 | $70,577 | $1,357 |
| Elbert County | 95 | $70,021 | $1,347 |
| Montrose County | 302 | $68,139 | $1,310 |
| Alamosa County | 65 | $66,210 | $1,273 |
| Teller County | 49 | $64,335 | $1,237 |
| Pueblo County | 496 | $63,651 | $1,224 |
| Delta County | 61 | $62,421 | $1,200 |
| Ouray County | 14 | $61,208 | $1,177 |
| Fremont County | 121 | $58,067 | $1,117 |
| Montezuma County | 69 | $52,815 | $1,016 |
| Chaffee County | 46 | $52,407 | $1,008 |
| Prowers County | 32 | $49,629 | $954 |
| Las Animas County | 32 | $45,551 | $876 |
| Otero County | 19 | $41,906 | $806 |
| Yuma County | 12 | $37,797 | $727 |
| Rio Grande County | 14 | $34,849 | $670 |
Keep comparing
Sheet metal worker pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Colorado
Questions this page answers
How much do sheet metal workers make in Colorado?
The median sheet metal worker in Colorado earned $27.83 an hour ($57,880 a year) in May 2025, 6% below the national median of $29.71. The middle half earn $22.60–$33.85; the top 10% earn more than $40.17.
Where does Colorado rank for sheet metal worker pay?
Colorado ranks 35th of 50 states for sheet metal worker pay, with a median of $27.83 an hour, and 39th after adjusting for Colorado's cost of living (BEA price parity 103.1, US = 100).
What is the union sheet metal worker rate in Colorado?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for sheet metal workers in 64 counties, with a typical package of $65.70 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many sheet metal workers work in Colorado?
BLS counted 1,660 sheet metal workers in Colorado in May 2025, 0.6 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.75; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Colorado and metro areas, SOC 47-2211.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.