Machinist Apprenticeships in Colorado
Colorado has 10 registered apprenticeship sponsors training machinists — 2 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
10
Union / joint programs
2
Median machinist wage
$58,890
Colorado, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+6.1%
380 openings/yr
Largest Registered Sponsors
Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.
| Sponsor | City | Program type |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State G&T JATC Craig Union / joint | CRAIG | Single Employer |
| United States Mint, Denver Union / joint | DENVER | Single Employer |
| Barber-Nichols LLC. | Arvada | Single Employer |
| Colorado Department of Corrections | COLORADO SPRINGS | Multiple Employer |
| Coors Tek | GOLDEN | Single Employer |
| CoorsTek | Golden | Single Employer |
| Coors Tek (Global Headquarters) | GOLDEN | Multiple Employer |
| Rocky Mountain Tooling & Machinist Association (RMTMA) | Greenwood Village | Multiple Employer |
| Stolle Machinery - Englewood Plant | ENGLEWOOD | Single Employer |
| University of Colorado, Boulder, CIRES/Chemistry Instrument Shop | Boulder | Single Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Machinists Earn in Colorado
Wages
- Median annual wage: $58,890
- Average annual wage: $59,760
- Machinists employed statewide: 2,580
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.
10-year outlook
- Projected growth 2022–2032: +6.1%
- Average openings per year: 380
- Employment: 3,620 → 3,840
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.