Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.5% with the biggest shift in Other Jobs, which gained 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market rose by 13,795 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 5.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 21 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 200 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 6.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 290,100; +400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 286,500; no change
  • Government: 195,300; +1,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 191,900; -900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 155,700; +1,200
  • Financial Services: 113,900; -900
  • Construction, Mining: 111,400; no change
  • Manufacturing: 69,300; -500
  • Other Jobs: 61,900; +1,600
  • IT & Development: 50,700; +300
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.