Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 3,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market rose by 872 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 92 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 60 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 3.8% 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 March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.1%. Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 312,300; +500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 285,100; -3,400
  • Government: 205,400; +1,300
  • Education & Healthcare: 194,000; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 165,300; -200
  • Financial Services: 111,200; -900
  • Construction, Mining: 108,400; -900
  • Manufacturing: 72,800; +300
  • Other Jobs: 69,600; +2,300
  • IT & Development: 51,600; -400
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.