Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Colorado

Wages, programs & career outlook

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair the piping systems that carry water, gas, steam, and waste. Residential plumbers work on homes; pipefitters and steamfitters handle industrial and commercial systems with higher pressures and tighter tolerances.

CO Median Salary
$63,610/yr
+1% vs. national
National Median
$62,970/yr
CO Employment
9,970
Plumber & Pipefitters employed
CO Sponsors
31
Registered programs
Training Term
4.0 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
4.5%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
44,000
Nationally, per yr

Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Colorado: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered plumber & pipefitter apprenticeship in Colorado combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 4.0 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

Colorado pay vs. national

Median plumber & pipefitter wages in Colorado are $63,610/year, +1% above the national median of $62,970. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Colorado has 31 registered apprenticeship sponsors for plumber & pipefitter listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.5% job growth for plumber & pipefitters nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 44,000 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — Colorado-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Colorado Wage Spread

Annual wages for Plumber & Pipefitters in Colorado across all experience levels.

10th pct
$46,370
Median
$63,610
90th pct
$98,680
Middle 50% of workers earn $51,280$77,990

Current Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship Openings in Colorado

No plumber & pipefitter apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Colorado. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship Sponsors in Colorado

31 plumber & pipefitter-related registered sponsors identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for Colorado. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current plumber & pipefitter apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
Denver Plumbers JATC Aurora Adams County
Bernie's Plumbing and Heating, Co. Boulder Boulder County
BELL PLUMBING & HEATING Centennial
American Specialty Plumbing Inc Colorado Springs
Bill's Plumbing and Drain Service Colorado Springs El Paso County
Colorado Springs Plumbers/ Pipefitters JATC Colorado Springs El Paso County
VSC Fire & Security, Inc. Colorado Springs El Paso County
AAA Fire Protection, Inc. Commerce City Adams County
Anson Excavating & Pipe, Inc Craig
American Sprinkler Inc Denver Denver County
BRACONIER PLUMBING & HEATING Denver
Central Fire Protection Cont., Inc. Denver Denver County
Denver Pipefitters JATC Denver Denver County
Foster Plumbing Denver Denver County
Matrix Fire Protection Denver Denver County
Maven Fire Protection Services Denver Denver County
Befort Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Englewood Arapahoe County
Diamond Fire Protection Company Englewood Arapahoe County
Garvins Sewer Service Englewood Arapahoe County
ADAMS COUNTY PLUMBING & HEATING CO Evergreen
C and B Plumbing, Inc. Apprenticeship Program Fort Collins Larimer County
Independent Plumbing Solutions, Inc. Fort Collins Larimer County
Independent Plumbing Solutions, Inc. Multi-Employer Program Fort Collins Larimer County
Mr. Rooter Plumbing Frederick Weld County
Excel Fire Protection, Inc Fruita Mesa County
+ 6 more sponsors in Colorado
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Plumber & Pipefitter openings

Filter by occupation code 47-2152 and state CO for the most relevant results.

Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Colorado

Colorado has 31 registered sponsors our directory identifies as Plumber & Pipefitter-adjacent — a functional apprenticeship pipeline concentrated in metro areas. Union locals and joint apprenticeship committees account for most placements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Plumber & Pipefitters earn in Colorado?
The BLS reports a median wage of $63,610/yr for Plumber & Pipefitters in Colorado (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
How many years does it take to become a Plumber & Pipefitter through apprenticeship?
The standard Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship is 4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
What's the difference between a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship and trade school?
An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn over 4 years with no tuition cost. Trade school is faster (6–24 months) but costs money upfront. Both can lead to the same journeyman credential.
Where can I apply for a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship in Colorado?
Our directory surfaces 31 Plumber & Pipefitter-related registered sponsors in Colorado. Start with your local trade union hall, joint apprenticeship committee (JAC), or state apprenticeship agency. You can also search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP.
How much do Plumber & Pipefitter apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $31,805/yr in Colorado). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Prefer Trade School Instead?

Apprenticeships pay from day one, but the classroom-first path may fit better for some. Plumber & Pipefitters also train through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost.

Compare 19 Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services programs nationwide →
Too few Colorado-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Plumber & Pipefitter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Colorado

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