Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 3,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market rose by 3,635 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 34 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 240 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 5.9% 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 October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 291,600; +3,500
  • Business Services: 290,200; +2,300
  • Government: 201,800; +1,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 194,100; +2,600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 152,300; +900
  • Financial Services: 114,500; +700
  • Construction, Mining: 112,200; +600
  • Manufacturing: 69,600; no change
  • Other Jobs: 60,400; -700
  • IT & Development: 51,200; +400
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.