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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout the Centennial State.
The growing demand for electricians in Colorado — including apprentice electricians, journeyman electricians, master electricians, and electrical contractors — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 27% growth rate for electricians in Colorado and 6% nationwide by 2031. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in Colorado posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to launch your electrical industry career in Colorado.
Accredited Colorado Electrician Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.”
According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
The state of Colorado mandates licensing to perform electrical work. To begin the process, candidates must join a qualified apprenticeship program and submit a registration form as an electrical apprentice with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Colorado:
Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood and Arvada
Western Colorado Community College — Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction
Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs
Colorado Apprenticeships
Electrician Degrees & Certificates
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering degree at one of the four-year universities in Colorado such as:
Colorado Technical University in Aurora and Colorado Springs
University of Colorado in Boulder
Colorado State University in Fort Collins
As stated earlier, in many cases formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages.
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical programs at technical colleges and trade schools are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician.
Typically, these programs include coursework in the fundamentals of electrical technology. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:
Foundations of Mathematics
Industrial Safety Procedures
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols
Commercial Wiring
Residential Wiring
Electrical Systems and Controls
Communication Systems
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
OSHA standards
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Colorado community colleges on average is $4,455 per year for in-state students and $10,707 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs where tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
To apply for a journeyman electrician license in Colorado, you must demonstrate 8,000 hours (about four years) of work experience through a registered apprenticeship program and complete 288 hours of classroom training.
Level of Difficulty
Electrical training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Colorado’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are only available to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill all or part of the required training needed to apply for a journeyman electrician license.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in: Construction Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, and Power Technology
Western Colorado Community College — Colorado Mesa University
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Constructional Electrical
Offers a technical certificate in Construction Electrical
Emily Griffith Technical College
Offers a Registered Apprenticeship Program
Steps for Enrollment in Colorado
Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online, in person or by mail. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship program, you will want to contact the JATC, local union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or with a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a C or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks
Electrician Career Requirements in Colorado
Colorado requires a mix of on-the-job training and classroom instruction to fulfill licensing requirements. To become eligible for a journeyman electrician license, you must earn a minimum of 8,000 hours of full-time experience as a licensed apprentice and complete 288 hours of classroom training.
To become eligible for the master electrician licensing exam, you must obtain an electrical engineering degree and achieve 2,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice, or complete a trade school or community college program in electrical construction and also demonstrate 2,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice.
To apply for an electrical contractor license, you must show proof of business insurance, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance. Additionally, you must also employ at least one licensed master electrician in the state of Colorado.
After receiving a license, journeyman, master, and contractor electricians must complete 24 professional development credits per year. All Colorado licenses must be renewed every three years.
For a detailed explanation of Colorado’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Colorado Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Colorado
Before paying for technical training at a trade school or completing a lengthy electrician apprenticeship, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Colorado? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Colorado for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $53,700
Intermediate 2-4 years: $64,000
Senior 4-6 years: $72,000
Supervisor > 7 years: $101,400
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Colorado, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice.
Apprenticeship Colorado maintains a list of open apprenticeships across Colorado for all trades, including electricians, HVAC, and plumbing.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships. The Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain offers nonunion apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Kansas, Wyoming, and Utah.
Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas
Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Mountainland Applied Technology College in multiple Utah cities
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Colorado. The opportunities are all around you.
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