Machinist Apprenticeship in Colorado

Machinists in Colorado earn $58,890/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 $58,890 per year, Colorado pays roughly the national average for Machinists. Neither a wage premium nor a discount — average market conditions.

Automation and shifting construction methods are shrinking Machinist employment (0.0% projected). Still, 29,500 annual replacement openings mean the trade isn't going away — it's consolidating.

Colorado's 2,580 Machinists represent just 0.8% of the national workforce. A thinner market means fewer apprenticeship sponsors and potentially longer waits for program openings.

Becoming a Machinist through apprenticeship takes roughly 4 years — 8,000 hours split between on-the-job training and classroom study covering precision measurement, CNC operations, and metallurgy. Wages start at a fraction of journeyman rate and increase on a set schedule.

Finding a Machinist apprenticeship in Colorado starts with a broad search — 963 organizations sponsor registered programs. Community colleges, trade unions, and independent employers all participate.

The wage band for Machinists in Colorado is narrow: $41,410 to $79,190 at the extremes. The $37,780 range means compensation is relatively standardized, often set by union contracts or prevailing wage rates.