Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.2% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 5,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market rose by 400 jobs in December and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 4.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 51 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 290 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 7.2% 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 December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 304,900; +5,800
  • Business Services: 290,100; +500
  • Government: 201,000; -1,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 193,000; +700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 150,900; -500
  • Financial Services: 116,500; +1,100
  • Construction, Mining: 108,700; -1,000
  • Manufacturing: 70,400; no change
  • Other Jobs: 60,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 51,600; +400
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.