Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
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BLS OES May 2024

Electrician Salary in Colorado 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$61,800/yr average · $29.71/hr

State Median

$62k

vs. National

+$0k

Top 10%

$95k

COL-Adjusted

$59k

Where Colorado Ranks

Colorado ranks #14 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Colorado pays $210 above the national average.

Colorado's cost-of-living index is 105 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $58,857/yr in national-average dollar terms. Cost of living is near the national average.

Pay by Metro Area

BLS OES May 2024 MSA-level data. Top 5 metropolitan areas in Colorado.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Denver Metro$67,200++5.4k
Colorado Springs$58,400-3.4k
Boulder$68,800++7.0k
Fort Collins$60,800-1.0k
Grand Junction$52,800-9.0k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$16 - $21/hr$33,000 - $44,000
Apprentice (Year 4)$23 - $30/hr$48,000 - $62,000
Journeyman (Employee)$29 - $42/hr$60,000 - $87,000
Master Electrician (Employee)$36 - $50/hr$75,000 - $104,000
Self-Employed Contractor$85 - $160/hr billed$85,000 - $220,000 net

Colorado Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityColorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) - State Electrical Board
Journeyman Requirement8,000 hours (4 years) OJT + 288 hours of approved related instruction + pass the Colorado Journeyman Electrician exam (PSI Exams).
Master Requirement2,000 hours (1 year) of work as licensed journeyman + pass Master Electrician exam. Master license is required for an Electrical Contractor registration.
Fee$25 application + $75 exam fee for journeyman; $25 application + $75 for master (DORA fee schedule 2026)
ReciprocityColorado has reciprocity for journeyman with Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming (verify current list with DORA)

See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing

Union Presence in Colorado

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 68 (Denver), Local 113 (Colorado Springs), Local 111 (Pueblo), Local 969 (Grand Junction)

Union share: approximately 19% of electricians in Colorado are union.

Union electricians in Colorado typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.

Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis

Job Outlook in Colorado

Colorado electricians benefit from sustained Front Range population growth (Denver and Colorado Springs added the most net new residents per capita of any Rocky Mountain state through 2025). Multi-family residential construction along I-25 remains active. The Suncor Energy refinery in Commerce City and the Anadarko / Occidental oilfield assets in the Wattenberg Field provide industrial electrical work. Boulder's tech and aerospace presence (Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace) creates clean-room and specialty electrical demand.

Major Employers in Colorado

Xcel Energy ColoradoTri-State Generation and TransmissionPCL Construction (electrical subs)Encore Electric (Denver-based)Sturgeon Electric Company

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Colorado?
Electricians in Colorado earn $61,800/yr ($29.71/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $38,800/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $95,200/yr.
How does Colorado rank for electrician pay?
Colorado ranks #14 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 105), the real purchasing power is $58,857/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Colorado?
8,000 hours (4 years) OJT + 288 hours of approved related instruction + pass the Colorado Journeyman Electrician exam (PSI Exams).. For master level: 2,000 hours (1 year) of work as licensed journeyman + pass Master Electrician exam. Master license is required for an Electrical Contractor registration..
Are union electricians better paid in Colorado?
Yes. IBEW Local 68 (Denver), Local 113 (Colorado Springs), Local 111 (Pueblo), Local 969 (Grand Junction) operate in Colorado, with approximately 19% of electricians in Colorado are union. Union electricians earn 20-35% more in total compensation when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
What is the job outlook for electricians in Colorado?
Colorado electricians benefit from sustained Front Range population growth (Denver and Colorado Springs added the most net new residents per capita of any Rocky Mountain state through 2025). Multi-family residential construction along I-25 remains active. The Suncor Energy refinery in Commerce City and the Anadarko / Occidental oilfield assets in the Wattenberg Field provide industrial electrical work. Boulder's tech and aerospace presence (Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace) creates clean-room and specialty electrical demand.

Related Pages

All StatesLicensing RequirementsJourneyman SalaryMaster Electrician SalaryUnion vs Non-Union

Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111), MERIC 2026 COL Index, IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.

Updated 2026-04-27