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HVAC & Pipefitter Salary in Denver

Metro area wage data from the BLS OEWS program (May 2025), with Davis-Bacon journey-level scale from UA Local 208, effective June 2025.

The federal wage data on this page covers heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, work that is largely service, maintenance, and residential installation. The union scale shown is journeyman pipefitter, which covers refrigerant, chilled water, and hydronic piping on commercial construction and falls under a different federal occupation code than the wage data above. Duct fabrication and installation is sheet metal work, represented by a separate union called SMART (the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers), and is not reflected in either figure.

Wage figures reflect all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master.

UA Local 208 and Colorado prevailing wage anchor the Denver pipefitter market.

Denver pipefitting work runs through UA Local 208, distinct from UA Local 3 which covers plumbers in the same metro. Colorado's prevailing wage law applies to public construction, and the metro's mix of commercial development, renewable energy infrastructure, and industrial work sustains consistent demand.

UA Local 208 journeyman pipefitter Journey-Level Rate

Journey-Level Hourly
$45.40
Effective June 2025
Base wage: $45.40/hr
Benefit contribution: $22.11/hr
Total package: $67.51/hr
Journey-Level Annual
$94,432
Based on 2,080 hrs / year
vs. BLS Area Median
+$22,852
Union scale vs. all-worker median

Union scale reflects the UA Local 208 journeyman pipefitter journey-level rate from the applicable Davis-Bacon wage determination. The BLS area median reflects all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types and experience levels.

Training CenterDenver Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
Address6350 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Denver, CO 80216
Phone(303) 428-6541
Websitepipe208.com
Minimum ScoreNo minimum

Applying to UA Local 208?

The aptitude test is required for all applicants to UA Local 208. See what to expect and how to prepare.

What to expect →

All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels

Median Annual
$71,580
+$10,570 vs. national
Median Hourly
$34.41
vs. Colorado
+$7,859
vs. state average
Total Employed
4,360
In this area

All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.

Annual Median Wage$71,580
Annual Mean Wage$74,310
Hourly Median Wage$34.41
Hourly Mean Wage$35.72
Total Employed4,360
Area TypeMetropolitan Area

Journey-level rates below are sourced from Davis-Bacon wage determinations, state prevailing wage determinations, or, where a local publishes one directly, its own collective bargaining agreement. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.

UA Local 38
San Francisco
$85.50/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 32
Seattle
$75.21/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 420
Philadelphia
$72.52/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 638
New York
$70.36/hr
Journey-level
UA Local 537
Boston
$66.58/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 250
Los Angeles
$61.73/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 230
San Diego
$61.73/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 290
Portland, OR
$60.77/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 533
Kansas City
$57.51/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 597
Chicago
$55.00/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 602
Washington, DC
$55.00/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 189
Columbus, OH
$53.00/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 562
St. Louis
$52.60/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 469
Phoenix
$51.15/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 539
Minneapolis
$51.03/hr
Journey-level · CBA rate
UA Local 449
Pittsburgh
$50.20/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
Pipefitters Local 120
Cleveland, OH
$49.17/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 449
Erie
$48.15/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 486
Baltimore
$47.78/hr
Journey-level · State prevailing wage determination
UA Local 725
Miami
$43.38/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 392
Cincinnati
$43.30/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 211
Houston
$42.09/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 636
Detroit
$41.96/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 72
Atlanta
$41.18/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 100
Dallas
$39.76/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 49-9021 (HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics) - Cross-Industry, All Ownership

Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.