What do skilled trades pay in Colorado in 2026?

Which trade is best in Colorado?

Different trades win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.

Across 30 trades: $46,020–$123,360 (median $60,310).

Trades ranked by pay in Colorado

Where is the union premium biggest in Colorado?

Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.

We don't have union scale data for Colorado across our trades yet — these trades are predominantly non-union, or we haven't added IBEW/UA data. Submitting your pay helps build complete data for Colorado.

Union landscape in Colorado

TradesPays does not have union scale data for Colorado in this data set. That's a straightforward limit worth naming up front rather than papering over. What we can say is this: some skilled-trades workers in Colorado are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and if you are — or you're considering a signatory contractor or a union apprenticeship — the wages in your CBA are what govern your check, not the BLS statewide averages shown here. Those negotiated scales can differ meaningfully from what BLS captures, and they vary by local jurisdiction, classification, and the specific agreement in effect. If you want current negotiated rates, go directly to your local. That's the only authoritative source for what a CBA actually pays in your area right now. A dispatch hall, a union hall, or your local's business agent can give you the scale for your classification and zone. TradesPays will update this section if Colorado union scale data enters our set — until then, we're not going to guess at numbers we don't have.

Cost-of-living context

The wages on this page are nominal BLS dollars — the raw annual wage estimates as reported in the May 2025 OEWS survey. They have not been adjusted for Colorado's cost of living, and TradesPays isn't going to invent a COL index to make that adjustment for you. Here's why that matters. Colorado, and Denver in particular, has seen significant housing cost increases over the past decade. A wage that looks strong on paper can feel different when you price out rent, a mortgage, or the daily cost of getting to a job site. The BLS numbers tell you what employers are paying — they don't tell you what that pay actually buys in your zip code. A few honest framing points: higher-paying states and metros often carry higher costs in housing, transportation, and services. Comparing Colorado's Elevator Installer figure of $123,360 against a figure from a lower-wage state doesn't automatically mean the Colorado worker is better off in real terms. Conversely, some rural areas of Colorado carry meaningfully lower costs than the Front Range, and a trade wage that looks modest statewide can stretch further depending on where you're working and living. Use these numbers as a starting point for negotiation and comparison — not as a final answer on whether a job offer is a good deal for your specific situation.

Trades in Colorado: FAQ

What is the highest-paying skilled trade in Colorado according to this data?

Elevator Installer, at $123,360 annually. That's a statewide BLS OEWS May 2025 figure — it covers all Colorado workers in that occupation surveyed, regardless of employer or metro area.

How many trades does TradesPays track in Colorado?

30 trades are tracked for Colorado in this data set. Coverage and sample size vary by occupation — less common trades can have wider margins of error in BLS estimates.

What is the lowest-paying trade tracked in Colorado?

Floor Layer, at $46,020 annually per BLS OEWS May 2025. Keep in mind that's a statewide average — individual pay depends on employer, classification, and hours worked.

Does TradesPays have metro-level wage data for Colorado cities like Denver or Colorado Springs?

Not in this data set. The figures on this page are statewide averages. Metro-level BLS OEWS data exists separately — if you need city- or region-specific figures, check the BLS OEWS metro area tables directly.

Does TradesPays have union scale rates for Colorado?

No. Union scale data for Colorado is not in our current data set. If you're covered by a collective bargaining agreement, your negotiated rate applies — contact your local for current scale figures.

Are these wages adjusted for Colorado's cost of living?

No. Every figure on TradesPays is a nominal BLS dollar amount — unadjusted for cost of living. Colorado's housing and living costs, particularly along the Front Range, can significantly affect what a given wage actually buys.

Where does TradesPays get its Colorado wage data?

All figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release. TradesPays does not adjust, estimate, or supplement these numbers.

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