Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Colorado

Wages, programs & career outlook
CO Median Salary
$57,870/yr
-5% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
CO Employment
1,620
Sheet Metal Workers employed
CO Sponsors
963
Registered programs

Colorado Wage Spread

Annual wages for Sheet Metal Workers in Colorado across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$40,520
25th %ile
$46,970
Median
$57,870
75th %ile
$68,640
90th %ile
$83,350

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Colorado

Sheet Metal Workers in Colorado earn $57,870/yr at the median — 20% above the $48,060 national average across all occupations. A solid middle-class income that typically comes without student debt.

Wages for Sheet Metal Workers in Colorado ($57,870/yr) track close to the $60,850 national median — within 5% either way. The state sits squarely in the middle of the pack.

Employment growth for Sheet Metal Workers (2.4%) won't make headlines, but the underlying math still works: 10,600 workers need replacing every year, and apprenticeship is the primary training pipeline.

Colorado's 1,620 Sheet Metal Workers represent just 1.2% of the national workforce. A thinner market means fewer apprenticeship sponsors and potentially longer waits for program openings.

A Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship runs 4 years at 8,000 hours. The time-based structure means you're logging real work alongside experienced tradespeople from week one, learning blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation in evening or weekend classes.

Prospective Sheet Metal Worker apprentices in Colorado have 963 registered sponsors to explore — from union locals to employer-sponsored programs. That depth of options means most regions of the state have accessible entry points.

The 10th-to-90th percentile gap for Sheet Metal Workers in Colorado ($40,520 to $83,350) covers $42,830. Moving up that curve comes from years on the job, foreman promotions, and contractor relationships.

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 Sheet Metal Workers earn in Colorado?
Sheet Metal Workers in Colorado earn a median salary of $57,870/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $60,850 for the trade.
How long is a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship?
Most Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeships run 4 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
What's the difference between a Sheet Metal Worker 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.
Is there demand for Sheet Metal Workers?
Demand for Sheet Metal Workers is modest, with 2.4% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
Where can I apply for a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Colorado?
There are 963 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Colorado. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
How much do Sheet Metal Worker apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $28,935/yr in Colorado). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Colorado

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