Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Colorado

Wages, programs & career outlook
CO Median Salary
$59,340/yr
+19% vs. national
National Median
$49,670/yr
CO Employment
11,960
Automotive Mechanics employed
CO Sponsors
963
Registered programs

Colorado Wage Spread

Annual wages for Automotive Mechanics in Colorado across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$39,210
25th %ile
$46,750
Median
$59,340
75th %ile
$76,290
90th %ile
$92,660

Automotive Mechanic Apprenticeship in Colorado

Automotive Mechanics in Colorado earn $59,340/yr at the median — 23% above the $48,060 national average across all occupations. A solid middle-class income that typically comes without student debt.

At $59,340/yr, Colorado Automotive Mechanics earn 19% more than the $49,670 national median for the trade. A slight edge that may reflect local demand or cost of living.

The 4.2% projected growth rate for Automotive Mechanics signals steady demand — not a boom, but reliable. 70,000 openings per year keep the pipeline of opportunities flowing.

At just 1.5% of the national Automotive Mechanic workforce (11,960 employed), Colorado has a compact market. Apprenticeship programs may be concentrated in one or two metro areas rather than spread across the state.

The Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship path spans 4 years in a time-based format. During those 8,000 hours, apprentices rotate between jobsite work under a journeyman and formal instruction in vehicle diagnostics, engine systems, and manufacturer certifications.

The apprenticeship infrastructure in Colorado is extensive: 963 registered sponsors operate across the state. Union halls, contractors, and joint apprenticeship committees all accept applications.

Apprentices entering the Automotive Mechanic trade in Colorado start near the $39,210 floor but have a clear path to $92,660 — a $53,450 arc that reflects how the trade values experience and skill accumulation.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Colorado

963 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Colorado. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Alamosa Workforce Center Alamosa
Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. Alamosa
Action Industries Arvada
Barber-Nichols LLC. Arvada Jefferson County
DICKERSON Arvada
Designs by Gabriele Arvada
ELITE REFRIGERATION Arvada
Elevate Hair Studio Arvada Jefferson County
FLOYD'S 99 ARVADA Arvada
Footers Catering Arvada
GeriAides LLC Arvada Jefferson County
Happy Cones Arvada
Heat and Frost Insulators JATC Arvada Adams County
Lumin8 Transportation Technologies LLC Arvada Jefferson County
Peak Elevator Performance Group Arvada Jefferson County
Ruder Built Arvada Jefferson County
STANDARD MECHANICAL INC Arvada
The Butchery Arvada
The Goddard School - Arvada Arvada
The Headquarter Arvada
The Sharpest Fades Arvada
Aspen Valley Hospital Aspen
City of Aspen Utilities Aspen Pitkin County
Early Learning Center Aspen Aspen
AQUA CUTS Aurora
+ 5 more sponsors in Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Automotive Mechanics earn in Colorado?
Automotive Mechanics in Colorado earn a median salary of $59,340/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $49,670 for the trade.
What is the length of a Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship program?
Most Automotive Mechanic apprenticeships run 4 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Automotive Mechanics?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Automotive Mechanics, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
Is there demand for Automotive Mechanics?
Demand for Automotive Mechanics is steady, with 4.2% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
How do I find a Automotive Mechanic apprenticeship in Colorado?
Contact one of the 963 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Colorado, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
Do Automotive Mechanic apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Colorado, a first-year Automotive Mechanic apprentice might earn around $29,670/yr (roughly half the $59,340 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 4-year program.

Automotive Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Colorado

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.