Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.9% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 10,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market rose by 17,146 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 6.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 35 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 410 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 0.1% and are down 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 February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 284,300; -3,000
  • Business Services: 270,800; +700
  • Government: 198,300; +4,200
  • Education & Healthcare: 189,500; +3,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 129,500; +10,100
  • Financial Services: 112,200; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 105,000; -900
  • Manufacturing: 69,000; +1,100
  • Other Jobs: 55,000; +600
  • IT & Development: 50,600; no change
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.