Electrician in Colorado

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CO. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$62,090

trending_down -0.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Colorado.

engineering

17,140

Jobs (CO)

monitoring Surging

+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$178

Licensing fees

schedule

4 years (apprenticeship)

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in Colorado

To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Colorado, individuals must complete 8,000 hours of electrical work experience over at least four years, with a minimum of 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial work. Additionally, 288 hours of classroom education are required for those who registered as an apprentice on or after January 1, 2011. After meeting these prerequisites, applicants must pass the Colorado Journeyman Electrician Exam administered by PSI. Colorado offers reciprocity for journeyman licenses from 14 states through the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA).

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $42,360

25th percentile $48,350

50th (median) $62,090

75th percentile $77,440

90th (experienced) $90,120

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Colorado. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Colorado requirements

Licensing body	Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Electrical Board
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED, plus 288 hours of classroom education if registered as an apprentice on or after January 1, 2011. Alternatively, a two-year degree from an electrical technology school with 6,000 hours of experience, or an electrical engineering degree with 2,000 hours of construction experience, can also fulfill education and experience requirements for different license types.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Colorado Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI) ($78)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Journeyman experience must be gained over at least 4 years, with 4,000 hours in commercial/industrial work. Minimum age for apprenticeship is 18 years old.

Source: Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Electrical Board

workspace_premium Colorado license tiers

Colorado offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Residential Wireman	4,000
Journeyman	8,000
Master	10,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+9.5%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

81,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

818,700

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.78/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleColorado license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+9.5%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an electrician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as an electrician in Colorado? expand_more

To become an electrician in Colorado, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED, plus 288 hours of classroom education if registered as an apprentice on or after January 1, 2011. Alternatively, a two-year degree from an electrical technology school with 6,000 hours of experience, or an electrical engineering degree with 2,000 hours of construction experience, can also fulfill education and experience requirements for different license types.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Colorado Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($100 fee).

Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Colorado? expand_more

You cannot practice as an electrician in Colorado without a state license from Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Electrical Board. The required exam is the Colorado Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI).

What is the average electrician salary in Colorado? expand_more

In Colorado, the median pay for electricians comes to $62,090/year. This is close to the national median of $62,350. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $42,360, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $90,120.

What's the total cost to get electrician certified in Colorado? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($78) and application fee ($100). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

How quickly can I become an electrician in Colorado? expand_more

Expect to spend 4 years (apprenticeship) from start to finish in Colorado — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a electrician license in Colorado? expand_more

Colorado requires 24.0 hours of continuing education every 3.0 years to maintain your electrician license.