Build Colorado's future through skilled trades including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and construction management. High demand for licensed tradespeople.
Median Salary
$63,232
Statewide industry median
10-Year Growth
+12%
Statewide projection
Pathway Roles
19
Pathway roles
Required Education
High School/Apprenticeship
Skilled Trades Program
Explore Colorado Construction
Construction offers fast entry through apprenticeship, portable credentials, and pathways to management or specialization without a four-year degree at the start.
Here, students can build careers across entry, technical, and supervisory tracks:
ELECTRICIAN MEDIAN WAGE
$62,760
Colorado electrician median annual wage from state occupational data.
STATE APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM
Apprenticeship Colorado
Colorado's apprenticeship system is active and emphasized for building-and-construction-trades growth through grants and intermediary networks.
PORTABLE CREDENTIALS
NCCER-aligned
Colorado CTE construction pathways align with NCCER, a major portable credentialing system employers recognize nationwide.
FAST EARNINGS PATH
No 4-yr degree required
Construction is one of the best Colorado sectors for earning quickly and avoiding a four-year degree at the start.
ENTRY WITHOUT GATEKEEPING
Apprenticeship Colorado and related grants emphasize building-and-construction-trades growth. Entry is through apprenticeship, community colleges, or employer-sponsored programs. You earn while learning.
CREDENTIALS THAT TRAVEL
Colorado CTE construction pathways align with NCCER, a major portable credentialing system that employers recognize across the nation and throughout Colorado.
BUILD AND MANAGE
The sector contains management, estimating, BIM, safety and inspection roles for people who prefer planning to swinging a hammer.
MAJOR COLORADO BUILDERS
Employers range from local contractors to large regional builders such as Saunders, Mortenson and Bryan Construction. You see real projects on the Front Range and statewide.
CAREER CHANGERS WELCOME
Veterans, warehouse workers, retail supervisors and people from manufacturing backgrounds often transition successfully because safety, reliability, teamwork and customer service are as important as technical skill.
DENVER, AURORA, AND BEYOND
Jobsite tours through local CTE, contractor open houses, apprenticeship-industry award events, and infrastructure observation in Denver, Aurora and the Front Range corridor make the field concrete and real.
Career paths · where you fit in
Veterans, warehouse workers, retail supervisors and people from manufacturing backgrounds often transition successfully because safety, reliability, teamwork and customer service are as important as technical skill.
Essential resources for your educational journey
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