Trade Schools in Colorado
Two paths into the skilled trades in Colorado. Compare both before you commit.
Path 1 · Trade School
216 programs
at 55 Colorado schools · pay tuition, finish faster
Top-paying program
$104,021/yr
Allied Health Professions · Red Rocks Community College
Avg grad earnings
$40,024/yr
first year after graduation
Path 2 · Apprenticeship
20 trades
963 registered sponsors · get paid to learn
Top-paying trade
$108,040/yr
Electrical Power-Line Worker · median wage
Avg median wage
$67,624/yr
across all apprenticeable trades
Apprenticeship Trades in Colorado
Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship pathways available in Colorado, sorted by median wage. Click any trade to see Colorado-specific sponsors and live openings.
| Trade | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator & Escalator Mechanic | $117,770 | 380 |
| Electrical Power-Line Worker | $108,040 | 2,120 |
| Boilermaker | $86,980 | — |
| Firefighter | $76,560 | 6,170 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $73,770 | 5,850 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $66,330 | 4,650 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | $63,610 | 9,970 |
| Bricklayer & Blockmason | $63,480 | 1,030 |
| HVAC Technician | $63,420 | 8,870 |
| Electrician | $62,090 | 17,140 |
| Glazier | $61,340 | 1,880 |
| Ironworker | $61,220 | 400 |
| Carpenter | $59,490 | 13,840 |
| Automotive Mechanic | $59,340 | 11,960 |
| Machinist | $58,890 | 2,580 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $57,870 | 1,620 |
| Welder | $57,200 | 4,470 |
| Roofer | $55,800 | 3,240 |
| Construction Painter | $50,650 | 3,700 |
| Insulation Worker | $48,630 | 980 |
See the full Colorado apprenticeship picture — sponsors + live openings →
Browse by City in Colorado
Narrow to your metro — each city page shows local trade schools, programs, and (where available) apprenticeship listings.
Trade School Programs in Colorado
Most common skilled trade programs at Colorado trade schools. Pick a trade to compare programs across Colorado.
Vehicle Repair Technology
$40,880/yr avg grad
Welding & Metalworking
$38,947/yr avg grad
Electrical Installation
$64,511/yr avg grad
Plumbing
$63,386/yr avg grad
Precision Systems Repair
$39,981/yr avg grad
HVAC Technology
$35,919/yr avg grad
Highest-paying trade program in Colorado: Electrical Installation at Trinidad State College — $73,424/yr first-year earnings. See full state rankings →
Browse by Category
Skilled Trades (26)
Healthcare (88)
Engineering & Technology (13)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (12)
Personal Services (25)
Business & Office (10)
Agriculture & Natural Resources (12)
Education (4)
Arts & Design (3)
Family & Consumer Sciences (1)
Other Programs (22)
Skilled Trades (26 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Installation | Trinidad State College Trinidad |
86 | $73,424/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Aims Community College Greeley |
76 | $47,529/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Aims Community College Greeley |
76 | $42,120/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Community College of Aurora Aurora |
74 | $57,677/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Aims Community College Greeley |
74 | $47,680/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Front Range Community College Westminster |
72 | $41,745/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction |
70 | $49,330/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver |
69 | $70,780/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Pickens Technical College Aurora |
69 | $38,503/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
68 | $38,845/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Front Range Community College Westminster |
64 | $34,125/yr |
| Plumbing | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver |
63 | $63,386/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Front Range Community College Westminster |
61 | $36,836/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Broomfield |
60 | $55,219/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Lincoln College of Technology-Denver Denver |
60 | $42,896/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
59 | $43,715/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver |
59 | $40,358/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver |
56 | $44,943/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Lincoln College of Technology-Denver Denver |
56 | $35,905/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Intellitec College-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
55 | $34,423/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
55 | $25,970/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Intellitec College-Grand Junction Grand Junction |
53 | $30,348/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Lincoln College of Technology-Denver Denver |
52 | $37,249/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Intellitec College-Grand Junction Grand Junction |
52 | $29,909/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Intellitec College-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
49 | $35,919/yr |
| Precision Systems Repair | Colorado School of Trades Lakewood |
47 | $39,981/yr |
Healthcare (88 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
89 | $69,953/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Otero College La Junta |
88 | $74,405/yr |
| Nursing | Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs |
88 | $68,039/yr |
| Nursing | Morgan Community College Fort Morgan |
86 | $76,759/yr |
| Nursing | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
86 | $73,926/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Morgan Community College Fort Morgan |
86 | $64,066/yr |
| Nursing | Front Range Community College Westminster |
85 | $76,014/yr |
| Nursing | Otero College La Junta |
85 | $74,179/yr |
| Nursing | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs |
85 | $72,869/yr |
| Nursing | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
85 | $72,520/yr |
| Nursing | Colorado Northwestern Community College Rangely |
84 | $70,087/yr |
| Nursing | Trinidad State College Trinidad |
84 | $66,009/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Pickens Technical College Aurora |
82 | $53,360/yr |
| Nursing | Northeastern Junior College Sterling |
81 | $68,853/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood |
80 | $104,021/yr |
| Mental Health Services | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
80 | $59,198/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Community College of Denver Denver |
78 | $72,086/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
76 | $59,024/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Aims Community College Greeley |
76 | $51,145/yr |
| Health Administration | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
76 | $43,631/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
75 | $62,355/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs |
75 | $48,148/yr |
| Nursing | Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora |
73 | $70,663/yr |
| Nursing | Denver College of Nursing Denver |
73 | $70,197/yr |
| Health Administration | Front Range Community College Westminster |
73 | $43,801/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
73 | $36,234/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Community College of Denver Denver |
72 | $76,712/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Aims Community College Greeley |
72 | $46,643/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Front Range Community College Westminster |
71 | $35,838/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
70 | $63,746/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood |
70 | $62,663/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Community College of Denver Denver |
70 | $57,873/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Front Range Community College Westminster |
70 | $29,021/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Colorado Northwestern Community College Rangely |
69 | $62,148/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora |
69 | $57,339/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora |
69 | $54,021/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Community College of Aurora Aurora |
69 | $37,502/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Front Range Community College Westminster |
68 | $58,164/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
68 | $42,853/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Front Range Community College Westminster |
67 | $38,793/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
66 | $48,715/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
66 | $42,297/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora |
65 | $49,680/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Technical College of the Rockies Delta |
65 | $42,451/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
65 | $35,555/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver |
63 | $44,175/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Front Range Community College Westminster |
63 | $37,396/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Community College of Denver Denver |
63 | $23,614/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver |
62 | $37,744/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver |
61 | $62,420/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver |
61 | $39,475/yr |
| Health Administration | Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora |
61 | $29,536/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora |
60 | $65,693/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora |
60 | $57,831/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora |
60 | $56,805/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pickens Technical College Aurora |
60 | $27,724/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
60 | $25,507/yr |
| Health Administration | Colorado Christian University Lakewood |
59 | $37,801/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Front Range Community College Westminster |
59 | $33,294/yr |
| Health Administration | Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver |
59 | $28,219/yr |
| Health Administration | Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
59 | $28,219/yr |
| Health Administration | IBMC College Fort Collins |
58 | $33,672/yr |
| Health Administration | Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora |
58 | $26,557/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver |
57 | $28,834/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver |
56 | $31,915/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
56 | $31,915/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Pickens Technical College Aurora |
56 | $31,002/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora |
56 | $30,907/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora |
56 | $30,654/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Intellitec College-Grand Junction Grand Junction |
55 | $30,095/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Intellitec College-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
55 | $29,358/yr |
| Medical Assisting | IBMC College Fort Collins |
54 | $32,618/yr |
| Health Administration | Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
52 | $25,841/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora |
49 | $33,825/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver |
47 | $31,071/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora |
47 | $29,935/yr |
| Dental Assisting | IBMC College Fort Collins |
45 | $31,222/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver |
45 | $27,301/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
45 | $27,301/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora |
44 | $26,058/yr |
| Alternative Medicine | Front Range Community College Westminster |
44 | $25,956/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Intellitec College-Grand Junction Grand Junction |
43 | $24,157/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Colorado School of Healing Arts Lakewood |
42 | $27,724/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Intellitec College-Grand Junction Grand Junction |
41 | $23,916/yr |
| Alternative Medicine | Front Range Community College Westminster |
39 | $28,076/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Academy of Natural Therapy Inc Greeley |
38 | $18,343/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Dr. Ida Rolf Institute Boulder |
37 | $16,723/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Technical College of the Rockies Delta |
36 | $14,804/yr |
Engineering & Technology (13 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Sciences | Colorado State University Global Aurora |
82 | $61,737/yr |
| Information Sciences | Front Range Community College Westminster |
81 | $45,174/yr |
| Computer Networking | Front Range Community College Westminster |
80 | $52,583/yr |
| Information Sciences | Front Range Community College Westminster |
79 | $53,219/yr |
| Computer Networking | Front Range Community College Westminster |
75 | $52,244/yr |
| Environmental Technology | Front Range Community College Westminster |
74 | $70,888/yr |
| Environmental Technology | Pickens Technical College Aurora |
62 | $40,146/yr |
| Computer Networking | Intellitec College-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
55 | $29,427/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
53 | $42,852/yr |
| Computer Networking | Intellitec College-Grand Junction Grand Junction |
53 | $27,510/yr |
| Drafting & Design Technology | Front Range Community College Westminster |
52 | $33,893/yr |
| Computer Networking | Intellitec College-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
52 | $26,192/yr |
| Environmental Technology | Lincoln College of Technology-Denver Denver |
51 | $40,778/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (12 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice | Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs |
92 | $68,129/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood |
91 | $72,583/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Front Range Community College Westminster |
90 | $69,776/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Aims Community College Greeley |
90 | $57,841/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
87 | $54,371/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs |
87 | $50,546/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
86 | $52,241/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Otero College La Junta |
85 | $50,431/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction |
83 | $65,638/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Trinidad State College Trinidad |
81 | $42,381/yr |
| Fire Protection | Aims Community College Greeley |
77 | $44,470/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Technical College of the Rockies Delta |
72 | $56,589/yr |
Personal Services (25 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder Boulder |
65 | $30,224/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder Boulder |
61 | $25,682/yr |
| Funeral Service & Mortuary Science | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
60 | $50,953/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver |
59 | $22,599/yr |
| Cosmetology | Pickens Technical College Aurora |
50 | $22,997/yr |
| Cosmetology | Elevate Salon Institute-Westminster Westminster |
48 | $27,005/yr |
| Cosmetology | Aveda Institute-Denver Denver |
48 | $26,636/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Denver Lakewood |
47 | $24,952/yr |
| Cosmetology | Northeastern Junior College Sterling |
47 | $22,488/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tigi Hairdressing Academy-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
44 | $21,501/yr |
| Cosmetology | The Salon Professional Academy-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
44 | $21,340/yr |
| Cosmetology | Cheeks Beauty Academy Loveland |
44 | $20,746/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
44 | $20,417/yr |
| Cosmetology | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver |
44 | $20,014/yr |
| Cosmetology | Avalon Institute-Aurora Aurora |
44 | $19,903/yr |
| Cosmetology | Stacey James Institute Parker |
43 | $19,659/yr |
| Cosmetology | United Beauty College Denver |
43 | $19,322/yr |
| Cosmetology | Intellitec College-Grand Junction Grand Junction |
43 | $18,804/yr |
| Cosmetology | IBMC College Fort Collins |
42 | $22,822/yr |
| Cosmetology | Technical College of the Rockies Delta |
42 | $17,125/yr |
| Cosmetology | International Salon and Spa Academy Colorado Springs |
42 | $16,847/yr |
| Cosmetology | Empire Beauty School-Thornton Thornton |
42 | $16,251/yr |
| Cosmetology | Empire Beauty School-Littleton Littleton |
42 | $15,322/yr |
| Cosmetology | Empire Beauty School-Aurora Aurora |
42 | $15,322/yr |
| Cosmetology | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
40 | $12,890/yr |
Business & Office (10 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | Community College of Aurora Aurora |
85 | $38,496/yr |
| Business Administration | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver |
83 | $56,979/yr |
| Business Administration | Front Range Community College Westminster |
83 | $41,596/yr |
| Business Administration | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
81 | $49,531/yr |
| Business Administration | Front Range Community College Westminster |
74 | $40,016/yr |
| Accounting | Front Range Community College Westminster |
68 | $38,838/yr |
| Business Administration | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs |
68 | $29,393/yr |
| Business Administration | Colorado Christian University Lakewood |
64 | $41,841/yr |
| Business Administration | Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
62 | $32,525/yr |
| Accounting | Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
56 | $34,762/yr |
Agriculture & Natural Resources (12 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horticulture | Front Range Community College Westminster |
70 | $28,703/yr |
| Natural Resources | Colorado Northwestern Community College Rangely |
64 | $38,698/yr |
| Wildlife Management | Front Range Community College Westminster |
55 | $36,860/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Community College of Denver Denver |
54 | $38,655/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Front Range Community College Westminster |
52 | $35,040/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora |
50 | $36,875/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
50 | $36,090/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology Denver |
47 | $38,899/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora |
45 | $28,808/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver |
42 | $25,638/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
42 | $25,638/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology Colorado Springs |
39 | $29,194/yr |
Education (4 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | Front Range Community College Westminster |
68 | $29,749/yr |
| Teacher Education | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
61 | $24,960/yr |
| Teacher Education | Community College of Denver Denver |
59 | $18,399/yr |
| Teacher Education | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
58 | $28,664/yr |
Arts & Design (3 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
54 | $32,100/yr |
| Design | Front Range Community College Westminster |
44 | $21,397/yr |
| Film & Photography | Community College of Aurora Aurora |
39 | $20,533/yr |
Family & Consumer Sciences (1 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development & Family Studies | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
73 | $34,716/yr |
Other Programs (22 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Services | Front Range Community College Westminster |
59 | $38,485/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Community College of Aurora Aurora |
56 | $38,729/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs |
56 | $32,551/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Aims Community College Greeley |
56 | $29,845/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Arapahoe Community College Littleton |
54 | $38,592/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Front Range Community College Westminster |
50 | $35,023/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Community College of Denver Denver |
47 | $29,078/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Pueblo Community College Pueblo |
46 | $30,640/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs |
46 | $26,779/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood |
45 | $27,242/yr |
| Health & Physical Education | Intellitec College-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs |
45 | $23,154/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Trinidad State College Trinidad |
44 | $30,532/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Lamar Community College Lamar |
43 | $25,669/yr |
| Legal Support Services | IBMC College Fort Collins |
42 | $37,542/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction |
42 | $32,460/yr |
| Public Relations & Advertising | Colorado Media School Denver |
42 | $15,718/yr |
| Graphic Communications | Front Range Community College Westminster |
40 | $25,702/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Northeastern Junior College Sterling |
40 | $24,287/yr |
| Broadcasting & Digital Media | Colorado Media School Denver |
40 | $18,896/yr |
| Biblical Studies | Colorado Christian University Lakewood |
39 | $39,106/yr |
| Graphic Communications | Front Range Community College Westminster |
34 | $24,989/yr |
| Graphic Communications | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs |
33 | $25,596/yr |
Browse Other States
Sources & Methodology
Program data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (first-year graduate earnings from IRS tax data). Wage and growth projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024) and Employment Projections 2024–2034. Apprenticeship data: U.S. Department of Labor RAPIDS database and the ApprenticeshipUSA sponsor directory.
Programs on this page are grouped by field of study — Skilled Trades listed first, followed by health sciences, business, and other categories. Click any program for detailed earnings projections and AI-risk analysis by career path.
Data sources cited above. Last updated 2026.