How to Become an Electrician in Colorado

If you want to become an electrician in Colorado, you have strong job opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the industry is expected to grow 27% between 2020 and 2030. To enter this trade, you must complete training, hands-on experience, and licensing from apprentice to master electrician.[En Español]

Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Colorado

The State Electrical Board in Colorado licenses apprentices, journeymen, master electricians, and independent contractors. The Board, part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, also offers license search services for consumers. To start your electrician career, you must either complete a two-year electrical technology degree at an approved college or trade school with 6,000 hours of work experience or enroll in an apprenticeship program that combines classroom learning and hands-on training. Classroom instruction includes studying the National Electrical Code (NEC).

After completing education and apprenticeship, the next step is becoming a licensed journeyman electrician. This stage involves continuing on-the-job training under master electricians. To qualify, you must complete 288 hours of classroom instruction, either through a two-year training program or an approved apprenticeship. You also need 8,000 hours of hands-on work experience if you completed an apprenticeship or 6,000 hours if you earned a two-year degree.

After meeting the requirements, you can take the journeyman licensing exam. The next step is becoming a licensed master electrician. To qualify for the master exam, you must have four years of practical experience, including two years in industrial or commercial settings and 2,000 hours of planning and supervising electrical installations. You must also score at least 70% on the journeyman exam. If you want to run your own electrical contracting business, you can apply for a state license as an independent electrical contractor. This requires being a master electrician or employing one and holding worker’s compensation insurance.

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado

One way to start an electrician career is by enrolling in an apprenticeship program, which provides both classroom instruction and hands-on training needed for journeyman licensing. In Colorado, both union and non-union programs meet state requirements.

There are four union apprenticeship programs in the state, backed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Alliance (NECA). Together these organizations created the Electrical Training Alliance which coordinate apprenticeships throught Joint Apprenticeship and Training Commmittees (JATC). These are located in Colorado Springs, Denver, Clifton and Pueblo. For more information see below. To qualify for these programs you must be at least 18 years old, have transportation, be physically able to perform job tasks, have a high school diploma or GED and be able to pass a basic aptitude test.

One of the largest non-union apprenticeship programs in Colorado is offered by the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Rocky Mountain Chapter. This four-year program includes evening classes, transferable credits, and 8,000 hours of hands-on experience required for licensing. Both union and non-union apprenticeships provide paid work, with wages ranging from $13 to $20 per hour.

Electrician Schools in Colorado

An alternative to an apprenticeship program is earning a two-year degree in electrical technology along with 6,000 hours of hands-on work experience. Many electrical contracting companies in Colorado partner with vocational and career schools to help students complete the required hours. Some trade schools that offer electrical technology programs include:

• Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood and Arvada. Red Rocks offers a number of related two-year degrees, including construction electrician, industrial controls, power technology and maintenance electrician.
• Colorado Technical University, Aurora and Colorado Springs. The two-year electronics technology degree offered here allows students to begin a career as an electrician or to continue on to get a four-year degree and choose other career options.
• Pickens Technical College, Aurora. Pickens offers students a general electronics technology associate degree, which prepares students to get work experience to train to become a journeyman or to begin working as an electrical technician.

Outlook and Salary Expectations

The growth in the electrical industry in Colorado is very strong and much faster than job growth in general. If you choose to get into this career in the state you can expect a positive outlook and many job opportunities. For the years from 2020 to 2030 there are expected to be an average of 2,320 annual job openings according to the BLS.

Additionally, salary expectations are high in the state for qualified electricians. Licensed electricians in Colorado made an average annual salary of $60,850 in 2020. Those earning the most, including contractors and those with years of experience, made an average of $84,760.

Salaries in Colorado by Occupation

Occupation	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage	Annual Salary 10th Percentile	Annual Salary 25th Percentile	Annual Salary 75th Percentile	Annual Salary 90th Percentile
Electricians	16,790	$29.25	$60,850	$39,170	$47,670	$76,560	$84,760
Helpers--Electricians	**	$19.87	$41,320	$37,680	$39,410	$54,380	$61,470
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	2,470	$32.65	$67,910	$47,060	$57,930	$84,990	$99,840
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	350	$52.97	$110,180	$82,260	$97,620	$115,250	$122,420
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	2,650	$48.90	$101,710	$51,430	$73,120	$113,860	$119,650

Electrician Salaries in Colorado by Region

Area	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	Hourly Wage 10th Percentile	Hourly Wage 25th Percentile	Hourly Wage 75th Percentile	Hourly Wage 90th Percentile
Boulder, CO	640	$30.27	$62,950	$20.40	$24.20	$36.79	$43.64
Colorado Springs, CO	1,440	$28.36	$58,980	$18.32	$22.37	$34.35	$39.71
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	9,740	$29.50	$61,360	$19.00	$23.23	$37.22	$41.46
Fort Collins, CO	910	$29.18	$60,690	$18.79	$23.01	$35.57	$40.27
Grand Junction, CO	370	$27.40	$57,000	$17.94	$21.31	$31.97	$37.51
Greeley, CO	840	$28.36	$58,980	$18.48	$21.93	$35.71	$41.40
Pueblo, CO	360	$28.70	$59,690	$17.21	$19.46	$35.00	$46.83

Working as an Electrician in Colorado

Job opportunities for electricians in Colorado are expected to grow in the coming years. Journeymen and master electricians can find work with electrical contractors, building contractors, and developers. Becoming an independent contractor allows you to start your own electrical business and hire other electricians.

Becoming an electrician requires a commitment to years of training and education, progressing from student to apprentice, journeyman, and master electrician. This path is rewarding for those seeking a hands-on, stable, and high-paying career.

Organizations You Should Know

• IBEW Local 113, Colorado Springs
• IBEW Local 111, Denver and Grand Junction (formerly Local 969)
• IBEW Local 68, Denver
• IBEW Local 12, Pueblo
• Denver Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Committee (DJEATC)
• Colorado Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (CSEJATC)
• Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain (IECRM)
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) – Rocky Mountain

College Programs

• Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO
• Grand Junction, CO

Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Area

1400 South Abilene Street, Aurora, Colorado 80012
(303) 586-5290
Electronics Technology – Associate Program

The Associate’s degree program in Electronics Technology at Ecotech Institute is based at their campus in the city of Aurora, Colorado. The college has round 242 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Fees for tuition are about $37,402 for each academic year.

1860 Lincoln Street, Denver, Colorado 80203
(720) 423-4700
Electrician Apprenticeship – Certificate Program

The Electrician Apprenticeship Certificate program at Emily Griffith School is based at their campus in the city of Denver, CO. This public college has about 4,144 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Fees for tuition are likely to be about $8,739 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $789, although this will vary with the program. Apart from this this electrician training course, the college offers a number of trade school programs such as Construction Essentials, Welding, Painting, Pipefitters, Plumber Apprenticeship and HVAC.

500 Airport Blvd, Aurora, Colorado 80011-9307
(303) 344-4910 x27734
General Electronics Technology – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in General Electronics Technology at Pickens Technical College is offered at their campus in the city of Aurora, CO. The majority of of the school’s 1,184 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is over 80%. Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be in the order of $4,510 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $7,990 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $600, although this varies from program to program.

13300 W Sixth Ave, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-1255
(303) 914-6600
Residential Construction Electrician Certificate – Certificate Program, Construction Electrician – Associate Program

Red Rocks Community College offers various Certificate program options for future professionals, a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Lakewood. Most of the school’s 7,789 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for in-state students is around $4,008 and for out-of-state students in the order of $14,773 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $1,800, depending on the program chosen.

Grand Junction, CO

2508 Blichmann Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 255-2600
Electric Lineworker

The Electric Lineworker program at WCCC covers all areas of training needed for those who desire to become an apprentice electric lineman. Students learn the fundamental skills in the study of electricity, the basics of transformer connections and electric line work, and underground installation and repair. The Electric Lineworker program operates within an indoor and outdoor, hands-on electric training facility with classrooms on site.

* College accredition status and tuition fees and are, to our best knowledge, correct at the time of writing, and sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Check all details directly with college before applying.

Neighbor States

Residents of Colorado may also wish to review their options in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

FAQs

How much do electricians earn in the state of Colorado?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Colorado made an average of $55,050 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $33,140 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $78,580.