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If you want to become a plumber in Colorado, you will need a license to practice.
Have a look at the article below so that you can learn more about the process.
Article Table of Contents
Plumber Job Description and Requirements in Colorado
Plumbers install, maintain, and repair water systems in people’s homes or office buildings.
As a plumber, you will install and maintain toilets. sinks, and anything else that involves a water system.
There are some duties you will need to complete on a day to day basis.
Some of these include:
- Having a look to comprehend how a specific water system functions
- Measure the length of the pipes in order to know how much to cut
- Make sure the lines fit the regulations of the state
- Install sinks, toilets, and other appliances
- Fix any issue that occurs and maintain the system
In order to work as a plumber in Colorado, you need a license.
In this state, there are 3 licenses you can get:
- Apprentice license
- Journeyman license
- Master plumber license
Plumber training in Colorado
Apprentices in this state usually train in a program offered by a trade school.
The first step you need to take is to register your apprenticeship with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
To register, you have to fill out a form.
You also need to pay a $30 application fee.
You have to be 18 years old at the minimum and have a high school diploma or equivalent
You will also have to send proof of having a driver’s license or ID.
As an apprentice, you will be supervised by a master plumber while performing plumbing work
The training programs for apprentices usually last about 5 years.
The training program you choose has to be approved by the Board so you can get a license.
Some of the classes you will take include the following:
- Maths
- Drafting
- Science
- Pipefitting
- Sprinkler installation
The apprenticeship license has to be renewed on an annual basis.
Becoming a Journeyman Plumber in Colorado
After you complete your apprenticeship program, you can move on to become a journeyman.
For this, you will need to get a license before you can take on jobs.
The requirements for getting a journeyman certification are:
- Experience of 4 years in the industry
- Send in an Affidavit of Eligibility
- Be a USA citizen
- Have a social security number
In order to get licensed, you need to take an exam.
You will need to get a 70% score in the exam to pass it.
After passing the exam, you can apply to get licensed for a $120 fee.
As a journeyman, you will be able to install and repair water systems in homes and office buildings.
To get a residential plumber certification, you need:
- 2 years or 3,400 hours of experience while being supervised by a master plumber
- Be a USA citizen
- Have a current social security number
Become a Master Plumber in Colorado
If you are a master plumber, you can install and maintain any type of water system in any type of building.
You can also supervise apprentices.
To get the master plumber license, you need:
- Experience of 5 years or 9,780 hours in the industry
- Send in an Affidavit of Eligibility
- Be a citizen of the USA
- Have a current social security number
Plumber Employment and Salary Information in Colorado
In this state, the job prospects for plumbers are quite positive.
The average wage a plumber earns in Colorado is $57,309 per year.
How much you will earn depends on various factors.
If you are an apprenticeship, you can expect to have a lower salary.
However, as you gain more experience, your salary will increase as well.
If you work in one of the bigger regions of Colorado, your salary will be higher compared to rural areas.
Some plumbers decide to start their own plumbing business for increased pay.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $58,131 |
| Colorado Springs | $57,211 |
| Aurora | $58,092 |
| Fort Collins | $55,958 |
| Thornton | $58,131 |
| Arvada | $58,131 |
| Westminster | $58,131 |
| Pueblo | $53,308 |
| Boulder | $58,976 |
| Greeley | $56,195 |
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 360 | $67,270 | $32.34 | $97,670 | $45,690 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 1,000 | $58,270 | $28.01 | $76,600 | $37,460 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 4,980 | $64,860 | $31.18 | $94,920 | $40,170 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 1,030 | $60,950 | $29.3 | $82,230 | $36,920 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 250 | $55,610 | $26.73 | $80,980 | $35,800 |
| Greeley, CO | 440 | $56,080 | $26.96 | $80,680 | $35,050 |
| Pueblo, CO | 240 | $54,400 | $26.16 | $79,830 | $31,220 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information
Before starting to work as a plumber, there are some things you need to know.
When it comes to insurance, this can be covered by the company you are working for.
However, if you run your own business, you need to meet some criteria:
- Property damage insurance of at least $100,000
- General liability insurance of at least $300,000
You should also know that you might need to take a background check.
You can still apply for a plumber license even if your record is not completely clean.
In Colorado, the plumbing license you get only allows you to work in this state.
So, if you want to work in other states, you have to go through the licensing process again.
If you need more career resources, you can check out:
- UpCode
- Code of Colorado Regulations
- Colorado State Plumbing Board
- International Code Council
The most important part before you can start a successful career is to get the necessary training for a license.
Schools Offering Plumbing Programs in Colorado
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Emily Griffith Technical College | 1860 Lincoln Street, Denver, Colorado 80203 |
| Red Rocks Community College: | 13300 W. 6th Ave. Lakewood, CO |
| Plumb-Tech Trade School LLC | 4615 Town Center Dr #120 Colorado Springs, CO 8091 |
| Local Union #58 Plumbers, Pipefitters, & HVAC Service Technicians | 2870 Janitell Road Colorado Springs, CO 80906 |
| Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado | 646 Mariposa St, Denver, CO 80204 |
| Colorado Northwestern Community College | 500 Kennedy Drive • Rangely, CO 81648 |
| Plumbers Local Union #3 | 17100 E. 32nd Place, Aurora, CO |
| Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Colorado | 2851 S Parker Rd #1210, Aurora, CO 80014 |
| UA Local 208 | 6350 N. Broadway Denver, CO 80216 |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Plumber
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Plumbing License by State