Quick answer: The median plumber in Colorado earns $30.40/hr — about $63,240 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $100,000+. To hire one, a plumbing business typically bills $65–$90 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what plumbers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Colorado compares to other states.
Plumber income in Colorado (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Colorado's ~10,080 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $22.97 | ~$3,981 | ~$47,778 |
| Median (typical) | $30.40 | ~$5,270 | $63,240 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $48.19 | ~$8,353 | ~$100,235 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a plumber takes home. What a plumbing business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median plumber wage (earned) | ~$30/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $65–$90/hr |
Where Colorado ranks
Colorado pays plumbers right at the national median, ranking 30th of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $48.57 |
| Colorado (30th) | $30.40 |
| National median | $30.67 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.39 |
Plumber rates by Colorado metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median plumber wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $31.20/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $30.72/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $29.59/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Grand Junction | $29.53/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $29.14/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Colorado Springs | $29.09/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $28.94/hr | $65–$85/hr |
What common plumbing jobs cost in Colorado
At Colorado billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Colorado range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $75–$130 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $125–$350 |
| Faucet or fixture replacement | $125–$300 + fixture |
| Toilet installation | $175–$400 + toilet |
| Garbage disposal install | $175–$400 |
| Leak detection & repair | $125–$525 |
| Sump pump replacement | $350–$800 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $125–$350 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,150–$2,500 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $3,500–$10,500+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in Colorado
Here's how plumber pay lines up against Colorado's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC technician | $31.35/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Plumber | $30.40/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Carpenter | $30.21/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Electrician | $29.92/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Roofer | $24.88/hr | $55–$75/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free plumber estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do plumbers need a license in Colorado?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Colorado contractor & trade licensing to check whether plumbers need a state license in Colorado, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers make in Colorado?
The median plumber in Colorado earns about $63,240 a year ($30.40/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level plumbers earn around $48,000 and the most experienced earn $100,000 or more.
Can a plumber make $100,000 a year in Colorado?
Yes — experienced plumbers in Colorado can. The top 10% earn about $100,000 a year, above $100,000. Running your own plumbing business and billing $65–$90/hr can push earnings higher still.
How much do plumbers charge per hour in Colorado?
In 2025, most Colorado plumbers bill $65–$90 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $30/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do plumbers earn more in Colorado than nationally?
Colorado pays plumbers right about the national median of $30.67/hr, ranking 30th of 51 states.
Which Colorado city pays plumbers the most?
Boulder, at a $31.20/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for plumbers.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.