Overall unemployment rate moved down to 7.0% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 13,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market declined by 3,256 jobs in January and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 150 bps to 7.0%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 19 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 430 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 2.1% 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 January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.5%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 286,500; -8,100
  • Business Services: 269,700; -5,300
  • Government: 193,900; -3,600
  • Education & Healthcare: 186,200; -300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 120,300; +13,300
  • Financial Services: 113,100; +300
  • Construction, Mining: 105,800; -3,400
  • Manufacturing: 68,400; -300
  • Other Jobs: 54,300; -200
  • IT & Development: 50,300; no change
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.