Home Repair Decoded

AC Replacement Cost in Colorado

$3,800 – $9,150We estimate AC replacement in Colorado at $3,800 to $9,150 for a central AC outdoor unit and matching coil on existing ductwork. The national estimate is $3,800 to $9,050. Colorado HVAC technician pay is 7% above the national median, ranking 16 of 51.
Part of the jobLowHigh
Parts and materials (our assumption)$3,500$8,000
Labor hours (our assumption)48
Billed labor rate per hour$78$141
Estimated total$3,800$9,150

Our estimate, not a quote. Billed rate is the Colorado median wage from BLS (2025, $31.35 an hour) times 2.5 to 4.5 to cover payroll costs, overhead, travel and profit. How we estimate

What our assumptions are based on

ItemSourced figureBasisSource
Parts$2,555 – $3,550Budget Heating listed prices for 3-ton split systems with a condenser and air handler, not a condenser and coil. Two models listed: $2,555 and $3,550 (the second, a wall-mount apartment type, also on sale at $2,630).Budget Heating
Labor hours4 – 84 to 8 hours for a typical AC replacement (Today's Homeowner). Bob Vila says about 3 to 5 days for a full system replacement.Today's Homeowner

What other publishers report

National figures as published by each source, checked 2026-11-03. Their scope can differ from ours.
PublisherLowHighScope
This Old House$4,000$8,000Central AC installed, excluding ductwork. Page dated June 2026.
Today's Homeowner$5,000$14,000Central AC installed. Page dated March 2025.
Bob Vila$3,900$7,900Central AC installed. Page dated April 2024.

Cities in Colorado

Metro areaMedian wageLowHigh
Denver$34.41$3,850$9,250

Compared with neighboring states

StateMedian wageLowHigh
Kansas$29.07$3,800$9,050
Nebraska$28.77$3,800$9,050
New Mexico$24.17$3,750$8,850
Oklahoma$27.67$3,800$9,000
Utah$28.24$3,800$9,000
Wyoming$26.30$3,750$8,950

Other HVAC technician jobs in Colorado

AC Replacement cost in every state · Colorado home repair guide

Sources

General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.