Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.2% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 6,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2022.

Total employment in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO market rose by 2,854 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 47 bps over the same time to 3.3%.

  • Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO unemployment rate is 12 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 5.2% 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 September 2022

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

  • Business Services: 319,000; -600
  • Transportation & Utilities: 285,300; -2,900
  • Government: 202,900; +6,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 197,800; +2,000
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 163,900; -5,100
  • Construction, Mining: 114,100; -1,300
  • Financial Services: 111,200; -2,500
  • Manufacturing: 72,000; -400
  • Other Jobs: 63,100; +100
  • IT & Development: 53,100; -600
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Unemployment by Industry September 2022

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

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.