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News Release Information

23-1433-KAN
Friday, June 23, 2023

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (816) 285-7000

County Employment and Wages in Colorado — Fourth Quarter 2022

Employment rose in all nine of Colorado’s largest counties from December 2021 to December 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2021.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that Denver County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, at 4.1 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)


National employment increased 2.6 percent over the year, with 325 of the 355 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Midland, TX, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment with a gain of 7.9 percent. Elkhart, IN, and Hendricks, IN, both experienced the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment with a loss of 1.7 percent each.

Among the nine largest counties in Colorado, employment was highest in Denver County (563,600) in December 2022. Within Denver County’s private industry, professional, scientific, and technical services accounted for the largest employment. Together, the nine largest Colorado counties accounted for 80.9 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 355 largest counties made up 72.9 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 55 counties in Colorado with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 53 of the 55 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,385 in the fourth quarter of 2022. (See table 2.)

Large county wage changes

Six of the nine large Colorado counties reported average weekly wage losses from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the fourth quarter of 2022. (See chart 2.) Boulder County had the largest percentage wage decrease (-5.0 percent). Over-the-year wage changes among Colorado’s other eight large counties ranged from -1.5 percent to 1.1 percent.


Nationwide, wages decreased by 2.3 percent over the year. Among the 355 largest counties in the United States, 240 had over-the-year wage decreases. San Francisco, CA, had the largest percentage wage decrease (-22.6 percent). Midland, TX, had the largest over-the-year percentage increase (+6.1 percent).

Large county average weekly wages

Weekly wages in 5 of the 9 largest counties in Colorado were above the national average of $1,385 in the fourth quarter of 2022. Average weekly wages in four of these counties ranked among the top 50 nationwide: Denver ($1,794, 15th), Boulder ($1,724, 23rd), Douglas ($1,597, 36th), and Arapahoe (1,593, 38th).

Among the largest U.S. counties, 86 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the fourth quarter of 2022. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage at $3,329. Average weekly wages were at or below the national average in the remaining 269 counties. At $827 a week, Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage.

Average weekly wages in Colorado’s smaller counties

Among the 55 smaller counties in Colorado—those with employment below 75,000—Broomfield ($2,092) and Pitkin ($1,539) reported an average weekly wage above the national average. San Juan County ($714) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 64 counties in Colorado were considered, 11 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 12 registered wages from $850 to $949, 15 had wages from $950 to $1,049, 8 had average weekly wages from $1,050 to $1,149, and 18 had average weekly wages of $1,150 or higher. (See chart 3.)

Additional statistics and other information

QCEW data for states have been included in this release in table 3. For additional information about quarterly employment and wages data, please read the Technical Note or visit www.bls.gov/cew.

Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online features comprehensive information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. This publication is typically published in September of the following year of the reference period or shortly after the QCEW first quarter full data update. The Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online is available at www.bls.gov/cew/publications/employment-and-wages-annual-averages/.

The County Employment and Wages release for first quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for first quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.


Technical Note

Average weekly wage data by county are compiled under the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program, also known as the ES-202 program. The data are derived from summaries of employment and total pay of workers covered by state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) legislation and provided by State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The average weekly wage values are calculated by dividing quarterly total wages by the average of the three monthly employment levels of those covered by UI programs. The result is then divided by 13, the number of weeks in a quarter. It is to be noted, therefore, that over-the-year wage changes for geographic areas may reflect shifts in the composition of employment by industry, occupation, and such other factors as hours of work. Thus, wages may vary among counties, metropolitan areas, or states for reasons other than changes in the average wage level. Data for all states, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), counties, and the nation are available on the BLS web site at www.bls.gov/cew. However, data in QCEW press releases have been revised and may not match the data contained on the Bureau’s web site.

QCEW data are not designed as a time series. QCEW data are simply the sums of individual establishment records reflecting the number of establishments that exist in a county or industry at a point in time. Establishments can move in or out of a county or industry for a number of reasons–some reflecting economic events, others reflecting administrative changes.

The preliminary QCEW data presented in this release may differ from data released by the individual states as well as from the data presented on the BLS web site. These potential differences result from the states’ continuing receipt, review and editing of UI data over time. On the other hand, differences between data in this release and the data found on the BLS web site are the result of adjustments made to improve over-the-year comparisons. Specifically, these adjustments account for administrative (noneconomic) changes such as a correction to a previously reported location or industry classification. Adjusting for these administrative changes allows users to more accurately assess changes of an economic nature (such as a firm moving from one county to another or changing its primary economic activity) over a 12-month period. Currently, adjusted data are available only from BLS press releases.

For more information see the Technical Note for the County Employment and Wages News Release.

Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.

Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and the nine largest counties in Colorado, fourth quarter 2022
Area Establishments,
fourth quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
December 2022
(thousands)
Percent change,
December
2021–22 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)
Fourth quarter
2022
National ranking
by level (3)
Percent change,
fourth quarter
2021–22 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)

United States (4)

11,785.7 152,317.9 2.6 -- $1,385 -- -2.3 --

Colorado

254.3 2,857.0 2.9 -- 1,472 9 -0.9 31

Adams

14.1 243.1 2.8 96 1,367 92 -0.7 140

Arapahoe

27.1 337.0 1.1 250 1,593 38 -1.3 180

Boulder

19.4 195.1 2.1 149 1,724 23 -5.0 330

Denver

44.2 563.6 4.1 28 1,794 15 -1.4 184

Douglas

16.2 142.6 2.1 149 1,597 36 -1.5 189

El Paso

25.7 299.7 1.7 181 1,241 172 -1.0 162

Jefferson

25.4 245.6 2.9 90 1,464 66 0.6 65

Larimer

15.3 172.5 2.3 136 1,310 124 1.0 47

Weld

9.4 113.3 3.4 53 1,218 186 1.1 41

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Percent changes were computed from employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications.
(3) Ranking does not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(4) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and all counties in Colorado, fourth quarter 2022
Area Establishments Employment December 2022 Average weekly wage (1)

United States (2)

11,785,706 152,317,914 $1,385

Colorado

254,280 2,856,983 1,472

Adams

14,097 243,097 1,367

Alamosa

624 8,313 952

Arapahoe

27,117 337,042 1,593

Archuleta

704 4,449 867

Baca

124 1,189 764

Bent

98 1,155 890

Boulder

19,355 195,130 1,724

Broomfield

3,590 43,353 2,092

Chaffee

1,240 8,581 998

Cheyenne

103 695 1,107

Clear Creek

423 3,627 1,071

Conejos

214 1,544 808

Costilla

112 934 747

Crowley

78 1,110 1,033

Custer

198 1,003 809

Delta

1,054 8,321 895

Denver

44,205 563,644 1,794

Dolores

112 587 806

Douglas

16,167 142,629 1,597

Eagle

4,013 36,080 1,244

Elbert

864 4,452 1,127

El Paso

25,653 299,666 1,241

Fremont

1,128 13,681 1,048

Garfield

3,107 25,723 1,228

Gilpin

233 4,323 1,247

Grand

1,026 8,031 1,014

Gunnison

1,379 9,522 1,016

Hinsdale

86 227 1,023

Huerfano

211 1,709 882

Jackson

95 549 887

Jefferson

25,426 245,643 1,464

Kiowa

52 464 810

Kit Carson

320 2,952 891

Lake

290 2,625 1,074

La Plata

3,169 26,545 1,190

Larimer

15,325 172,456 1,310

Las Animas

613 4,917 879

Lincoln

179 2,150 949

Logan

681 7,726 985

Mesa

5,720 64,532 1,074

Mineral

84 649 810

Moffat

509 4,533 1,091

Montezuma

1,048 9,135 886

Montrose

1,710 15,858 979

Morgan

861 12,511 1,088

Otero

524 6,097 857

Ouray

391 1,973 958

Park

697 2,704 1,031

Phillips

186 1,676 907

Pitkin

2,165 18,898 1,539

Prowers

398 4,684 866

Pueblo

4,004 63,076 1,045

Rio Blanco

287 2,822 1,201

Rio Grande

496 4,037 993

Routt

2,152 16,661 1,184

Saguache

235 1,487 825

San Juan

94 314 714

San Miguel

826 6,398 1,208

Sedgwick

97 728 752

Summit

2,640 24,775 1,079

Teller

1,130 7,962 957

Washington

158 1,152 807

Weld

9,418 113,292 1,218

Yuma

438 3,882 955

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 3. Covered establishments, employment, and wages by state, fourth quarter 2022
State Establishments,
fourth quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
December 2022
(thousands)
Percent change,
December
2021–22
Fourth quarter
2022
National ranking
by level
Percent change,
fourth quarter
2021–22
National ranking
by percent change

United States (2)

11,785.7 152,317.9 2.6 $1,385 -- -2.3 --

Alabama

152.6 2,057.5 2.2 1,158 35 0.4 8

Alaska

24.9 303.9 1.5 1,299 18 -0.8 26

Arizona

211.7 3,157.8 3.1 1,272 22 -0.8 26

Arkansas

101.0 1,272.9 2.9 1,065 50 -0.1 13

California

1,768.8 18,051.3 2.3 1,679 4 -6.9 51

Colorado

254.3 2,857.0 2.9 1,472 9 -0.9 31

Connecticut

142.8 1,667.9 1.6 1,593 6 -0.9 31

Delaware

40.5 464.6 2.4 1,346 15 0.4 8

District of Columbia

49.7 757.7 0.9 2,291 1 -1.1 35

Florida

882.6 9,616.3 3.9 1,284 20 -0.8 26

Georgia

397.5 4,794.5 3.7 1,289 19 -0.3 18

Hawaii

54.0 638.1 3.7 1,227 28 -0.2 16

Idaho

89.5 827.0 3.1 1,114 44 0.3 10

Illinois

409.8 5,997.3 2.0 1,432 11 -2.8 46

Indiana

189.5 3,154.4 2.1 1,131 40 -1.9 40

Iowa

110.8 1,543.9 0.9 1,153 37 -0.3 18

Kansas

96.4 1,416.2 2.6 1,125 41 -0.7 25

Kentucky

146.0 1,967.4 2.5 1,099 46 -0.9 31

Louisiana

151.5 1,880.4 1.1 1,134 39 -0.8 26

Maine

63.1 626.7 2.0 1,165 34 0.0 12

Maryland

190.0 2,668.5 0.3 1,462 10 -2.4 43

Massachusetts

293.6 3,620.2 1.8 1,790 2 -2.5 45

Michigan

302.6 4,350.0 2.3 1,274 21 -1.2 37

Minnesota

205.6 2,870.0 1.6 1,357 14 -1.5 38

Mississippi

83.3 1,161.6 1.2 947 51 0.2 11

Missouri

239.9 2,860.4 2.0 1,172 33 -0.6 21

Montana

62.6 500.6 2.4 1,118 42 0.9 5

Nebraska

79.1 995.5 1.7 1,154 36 1.2 4

Nevada

105.3 1,503.3 4.7 1,244 25 -0.1 13

New Hampshire

64.7 678.9 2.4 1,484 8 -6.1 50

New Jersey

331.2 4,235.5 2.7 1,534 7 -1.9 40

New Mexico

67.5 844.1 2.7 1,115 43 1.6 1

New York

683.5 9,449.3 2.7 1,736 3 -5.1 49

North Carolina

354.8 4,771.4 2.7 1,235 26 -0.6 21

North Dakota

34.8 416.0 2.0 1,204 30 0.9 5

Ohio

333.8 5,439.4 1.6 1,203 31 -1.6 39

Oklahoma

125.9 1,662.2 3.0 1,073 48 -0.6 21

Oregon

188.0 1,960.1 2.1 1,302 17 -2.2 42

Pennsylvania

391.9 5,944.5 2.1 1,320 16 -2.4 43

Rhode Island

47.0 485.8 2.2 1,261 23 -4.3 48

South Carolina

171.0 2,218.6 3.2 1,111 45 0.9 5

South Dakota

39.7 444.6 2.1 1,096 47 -1.0 34

Tennessee

207.8 3,221.9 3.8 1,254 24 -0.8 26

Texas

811.6 13,576.6 4.2 1,372 13 -0.2 16

Utah

137.3 1,675.6 3.2 1,230 27 -0.1 13

Vermont

31.6 304.6 1.7 1,207 29 1.4 3

Virginia

337.4 4,010.6 2.2 1,416 12 -0.6 21

Washington

236.8 3,540.6 3.2 1,631 5 -3.0 47

West Virginia

56.6 682.6 1.1 1,067 49 1.5 2

Wisconsin

204.0 2,899.1 2.1 1,188 32 -1.1 35

Wyoming

30.1 272.7 1.9 1,137 38 -0.5 20

Puerto Rico

50.8 976.7 4.3 665 (3) 2.9 (3)

Virgin Islands

3.7 35.7 1.6 1,021 (3) 3.8 (3)

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(3) Data not included in the national ranking.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Chart 3: Average weekly wages by county in Colorado, fourth quarter 2022

U.S. average = $1,385

 

Last Modified Date: Friday, June 23, 2023