Plumber/Pipefitter at Denver Plumbers JATC
at Denver Plumbers JATC in Aurora, CO
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$30
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
How to Apply
About This Program
Denver Plumbers JATC offers a union apprenticeship program based in Aurora, CO, training skilled plumbers for the greater Denver metropolitan area. As a JATC-administered program, it partners apprentices with union employers for paid field experience while providing formal classroom instruction throughout the five-year training period.
The program requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on water supply, sanitary drainage, gas, and hydronic heating systems across a range of residential and commercial job sites. Classroom courses cover Colorado plumbing codes, pipefitting principles, blueprint interpretation, and jobsite safety practices.
Graduates earn journeyman Plumber status through Denver Plumbers JATC, qualifying them for skilled trade work throughout the Denver area. Union membership provides negotiated wage scales, health insurance, retirement benefits, and connections to a broad network of union plumbing contractors.
Plumber Career Outlook
National Median
$30.46/hr
~$63,356.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Plumber employment is projected to grow steadily, driven by new construction, building renovation, and the need to replace aging water infrastructure. Water efficiency regulations and green building standards are creating additional demand for skilled plumbers. The trade consistently ranks among the hardest positions for employers to fill, indicating strong job security.
What to Expect as a Plumber/Pipefitter Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~115 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Plumber
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Colorado
Plumber/Pipefitters in Colorado are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Colorado State Plumbing Board.
View full Coloradolicensing requirements →Reviews
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