Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Colorado has about 3.10 million employed workers, led by professional and technical services, healthcare and tourism.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED CONA).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Employment (millions) | 3.1 | 161 |
Unemployment
Colorado's unemployment rate was 4.2% in 2024, slightly above the national average, though still historically low by state standards.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED COUR).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.2 | 4 |
Labor Force
Colorado's labor force totals about 3.24 million workers, one of the most robust and highly educated labor markets in the Mountain West.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED COLF).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force (millions) | 3.24 | 168 |
Occupations
Colorado's largest employment sectors are professional and technical services, healthcare, retail trade and tourism/hospitality.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Professional services share (%) | 10.5 | 8 |
Salaries
Colorado's median annual wage is about $54,800, above the national median, reflecting a high concentration of tech and aerospace jobs.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU08000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU08000000500000003).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (USD) | 54800 | 48060 |
Remote Work
Colorado has one of the highest shares of remote workers in the country, at about 20% of employees working primarily from home, led by Denver and Boulder tech workers.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 20 | 13.8 |
- •Colorado consistently ranks among the top 5 states for share of employees working remotely.
Workforce Participation
Colorado's labor force participation rate is 68.7%, among the highest in the country, reflecting a young, educated workforce.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA08).
| Indicator | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation (%) | 68.7 | 62.5 |