Denver Job Market Report

Denver's Evolving Job Market: Resilience Amid Economic Uncertainty


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Denver's job market is experiencing significant shifts as the region navigates economic uncertainty and evolving industry dynamics. The Colorado capital faces headwinds from broader economic concerns, with Arizona's neighboring job growth stalling amid tariffs and policy uncertainty, suggesting similar pressures may affect the Denver metro area.

The rental market provides important context for employment trends. The Apartment Association of Metro Denver reported that the region has absorbed over 55,000 new apartment units in the past three years, bringing the total to nearly 450,000 units. This construction surge reflects population growth but also reveals labor market tensions. Vacancy rates currently sit at 6.3 percent, up one percentage point from a year ago, indicating softening demand despite continued development. The effective rent has dropped 9.4 percent annually to $1,709, driven by aggressive concessions including free months and cash bonuses, suggesting landlords are competing for tenants amid slower economic activity.

Employment data reveals mixed conditions. The Economic Policy Institute notes that school bus driver employment remains almost ten percent below 2019 levels, though recent wage growth of 4.2 percent annually has driven modest hiring improvements. This reflects broader K-12 staffing challenges affecting the region's services sector.

Local flooring dealers reported mixed results in 2025, with Denver-based Carpet Exchange experiencing strong early momentum but moderating growth rates. The company noted double-digit gains early in the year before settling into mid-single-digit growth, with order entry leveling off in recent weeks compared to the previous year.

The broader Denver metro region continues developing infrastructure for growth, with approximately 26,500 units currently under construction and another 51,300 planned. However, the pipeline has shrunk from 57,000 units planned a year ago, suggesting some moderation in expansion expectations. Colorado still faces a housing shortage estimated at 106,000 units, though this has declined from a pre-pandemic peak of 140,000 units.

Key findings indicate Denver's job market remains resilient but faces headwinds from national economic uncertainty. Specific current job openings in the region include positions in construction management, healthcare administration, and technology services, reflecting ongoing development and service sector demand.

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Denver Job Market ReportBy Inception Point Ai