carpenter salary in colorado (2026)
Colorado carpenters earn a median of $58,240 per year in 2026 — +12% versus the national median of $52,000. The gap reflects colorado's market dynamics: energy sector, aerospace, rocky mountain boom.
But Colorado isn't one market. Wages vary significantly across metros. Here's the full breakdown.
carpenter salary by city in colorado
Salary varies considerably across Colorado metros, driven by construction activity, industrial sector concentration, and union density.
| city | median salary | vs. CO median | key driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Denver | $65,000 | +12% | tech, aerospace, commercial boom |
| 2 Colorado Springs | $52,000 | -11% | military, defense contractors, healthcare |
| 3 Aurora | $57,200 | -2% | logistics, military, healthcare |
| 4 Fort Collins | $54,600 | -6% | tech, university, clean energy |
| 5 Lakewood | $58,240 | +0% | government, tech, commercial |
| 6 Thornton | $54,600 | -6% | logistics, residential buildout |
| 7 Arvada | $56,160 | -4% | commercial, residential, light industrial |
Colorado market note: Denver's construction boom, Colorado's leadership in renewable energy, and the aerospace corridor around Colorado Springs all sustain strong demand.
what moves your salary in colorado
taxes and take-home pay
Colorado's state income tax is a flat 4.4%. Denver's cost of living is high, but skilled trade wages have kept pace with demand.
union vs. non-union
Colorado has a growing union presence, particularly in Denver's commercial market. Prevailing wage applies to state public projects.
licensing
To work legally as a licensed carpenter in Colorado, you'll need to meet requirements set by the Colorado Dept of Regulatory Agencies. This typically includes documented apprenticeship hours, passing a written trade exam, and ongoing continuing education. Each license level unlocks higher-paying work — especially the jump to journeyman, which allows independent work on permitted jobs.
how colorado compares to other states
| state | median salary | vs. colorado | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $78,400 | +35% | 9.3% state income tax |
| New York | $72,600 | +25% | NYC drives wages up; high COL |
| Illinois | $69,800 | +20% | Chicago union rates |
| Colorado | $58,240 | — | Denver drives wages; growing market |
| National median | $52,900 | -9% | BLS OEWS 2024 |
| Texas | $50,200 | -14% | no state income tax |
| Florida | $46,800 | -20% | no state income tax, lower COL |
is carpenter a good career in colorado right now?
Denver's construction boom, Colorado's leadership in renewable energy, and the aerospace corridor around Colorado Springs all sustain strong demand. BLS projects 2% job growth for carpenters nationally through 2032, and Colorado tracks at or above that rate given its market conditions.
Hardhat's AI survival score for carpenters is 72/100 — the physical, site-specific, judgment-intensive nature of this work makes it genuinely difficult to automate. The job is not going anywhere.
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How much does a Carpenter make in Colorado?
Carpenters in Colorado earn a median of $58,240 per year in 2026, ranging from around $43,097 for apprentices to $90,272 or more for licensed journeymen and contractors.
What city in Colorado pays carpenters the most?
Denver pays the highest carpenter salaries in Colorado — around $65,000 median — driven by tech, aerospace, commercial boom.
Do you need a license to be a carpenter in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires licensure through the Colorado Dept of Regulatory Agencies. Requirements include documented experience, passing a written trade exam, and in many cases continuing education hours.
Is there demand for carpenters in Colorado?
Colorado's carpenter market is driven by energy sector, aerospace, rocky mountain boom. BLS projects 2% national job growth through 2032, and Colorado consistently matches or exceeds that pace.
How long does it take to become a carpenter in Colorado?
Typically 3–4 years — trade school plus the apprenticeship hours required to sit for the journeyman exam. Licensing is handled by the Colorado Dept of Regulatory Agencies.
carpenter salary in other states
other trades in colorado