Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.0% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 6,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market rose by 780 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 6.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 34 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 July versus prior month by 4.9% 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 July 2021

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

  • Business Services: 290,000; +5,300
  • Transportation & Utilities: 286,900; -1,000
  • Government: 194,000; -6,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 192,600; +500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 155,500; +5,200
  • Financial Services: 114,800; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 111,600; -700
  • Manufacturing: 69,800; -100
  • Other Jobs: 60,600; +1,100
  • IT & Development: 50,400; +100
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.