The Colorado Job Market Thru 2034
Most likely once you get your new driver’s license, the first thing you’ll want to do is to find suitable employment. As of mid- 2026 Colorado’s unemployment numbers were 4 points lower than the National Average. According to the Colorado Department of Labor the largest expected job growth in the next 10 years will be in the area of Professional, Scientific and Technical Services.
| Rank | Industry | 2024 Est. # of Jobs | 2034# of Est. Jobs | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional, Scientific Technical | 290,660 | 401,628 | 3.29 |
| 2 | Food Service & Hospitality | 241,292 | 279,504 | 1.41 |
| 3 | Ambulatory Health Care | 156,207 | 193,087 | 2.23 |
| 4 | Educational Services | 244,892 | 281,721 | 2.19 |
| 5 | Specialty Trades | 122,584 | 152,847 | 2.23 |
| 6 | Hospitals | 105,741 | 131,257 | 2.19 |
| 7 | Merchant Wholesales Durable Goods | 73,562 | 89,333 | 1.96 |
| 8 | Social Assistance | 67,394 | 83,156 | 2.12 |
| 9 | Business Mgmt | 45,719 | 57,90 | 2.17 |
The Two Fastest Growing Colorado Job Sectors
Trade Jobs Are Hot In Colorado
Another occupation sector that promises growth is the Specialty Trades Sector. Specialty trades include electricians, plumbers, communications specialists, HVAC technicians, Welders and power utility technicians. This area remains in high demand due to infrastructure repair and upgrades and the State’s focus on renewable energy. The current average wage in Colorado for Specialty Contractors (as of April 2026) was $36.85/hr or $76, 648/yr excluding overtime.
Colorado’s Health Care Industry is Expanding To Meet Demand
Colorado like many states with an aging population is expected to experience an explosion in health care related jobs over the next decade. Colorado’s health care industry consisting of both ambulatory care services (a.k.a. outpatient services) and traditional hospital inpatient services, is expected to grow by as many as 60,000 new positions over the next decade. Colorado’s Major Health care employers include UC Health, HCA HealthONE, AdventHealth and University of Colorado Anshutz Medical Campus. The average salary for non-licensed health care workers in Colorado was about $31,000 in 2024.