Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 6,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2022.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market declined by 4,865 jobs in October and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 8 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 10 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 110 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 7.5% 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 October 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 326,700; +6,500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 290,400; +5,300
  • Government: 205,200; +3,800
  • Education & Healthcare: 199,800; +2,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 159,500; -1,800
  • Construction, Mining: 118,200; +4,000
  • Financial Services: 112,200; +1,300
  • Manufacturing: 72,200; +600
  • Other Jobs: 64,200; +1,400
  • IT & Development: 53,400; +100
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry October 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2022 (Data published December 2022 and reports created on December 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.