Plumber in Colorado
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CO
How to Become a Plumber in Colorado
To become a Journeyworker Plumber in Colorado, you must be licensed by the Colorado State Plumbing Board. Key steps include accumulating 6,800 hours (4 years) of practical experience, passing the Journeyworker Plumbing Exam administered by PSI, and submitting an application with the required fees. While Colorado does not have formal reciprocity agreements, plumbers licensed in other states may apply for licensure by endorsement if their qualifications are substantially equivalent to Colorado's requirements.
Plumber Requirements in Colorado
| Detail | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Colorado State Plumbing Board |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | None specified, but a high school diploma or GED is generally recommended for apprenticeships. |
| Experience Required | 6,800.0 hours |
| Exam | Journeyworker Plumbing Exam (administered by PSI) ($72) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 16.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18. Requires a criminal background check. Experience hours are for a Journeyworker Plumber license. Master Plumber requires 5 years (8,500 hours) of experience. Residential Plumber requires 2 years (3,400 hours) of experience. All exams are open-book and administered by PSI. Journeyman and Residential exams require a 70% passing score, Master requires 75%. |
Source: Colorado State Plumbing Board
License Tiers
Colorado offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Residential Plumber | 3,400 |
| Journeyman Plumber | 6,800 |
| Master Plumber | 9,780 |
Plumber Salary in Colorado
The median plumber salary in Colorado is $63,610 per year, which is 1.0% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $46,370 |
| 25th | $51,280 |
| 50th (median) | $63,610 |
| 75th | $77,990 |
| 90th (experienced) | $98,680 |
Colorado employs approximately 9,970 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.12/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Plumber in Colorado Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $250 and a median salary of $63,610 in Colorado, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Colorado's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.