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DENVER – The Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Aspen Technology Labs (Aspen) today released their jobs report for the third quarter (Q3) of 2025. Utilizing Aspen’s database of more than 9 million job vacancies worldwide from over 200,000 companies, the report provides real-time workforce and jobs data to better understand Colorado’s economic landscape.
Colorado’s labor market saw a slight decline in job openings in the third quarter, with job postings down 0.8% from the previous quarter. Among all states, Colorado ranked 24th in job vacancy growth during this period, placing it near the middle of the pack. The median annual salary for Colorado full-time job postings also saw a 0.8% decline while the average part-time salary dropped by 1.6%. Despite the decreases, Colorado’s median full-time wage remained above the national average, ranking 12th highest among states.
“While job openings declined slightly this quarter, we haven’t seen any significant shifts in Colorado’s overall labor market,” said Rachel Beck, executive director of the Colorado Chamber Foundation. “Over the past year, Colorado’s job posting trends have tracked very closely with the national market, if not outperforming them. This consistency suggests that the recent dip in vacancies and salary growth reflects broader economic conditions rather than a development unique to Colorado. We’ll continue to monitor these trends closely as we approach the end of the year.”
“The Q3 data shows slight shifts in Colorado’s labor market, but overall hiring activity remains steady across most industries,” said Michael Woodrow, president of Aspen Technology Labs. “Employer demand continues in fields such as accounting and insurance, and wage levels remain broadly consistent with prior quarters. This quarter’s findings reflect the broader national trends we are seeing heading into 2026.”
Job vacancies trends at the regional level were mixed, with Breckenridge and Boulder experiencing a growth in job postings of 4% and 3%, respectively. Meanwhile, other regions saw significant declines, led by Grand Junction with a 24% drop and Rifle with a 20% decrease. Sterling, Denver and Alamosa reported the highest median salaries at $68,640, $66,560 and $66,144, respectively.
The largest percentage gains in postings this quarter were in accounting and insurance industries, while the largest decrease was in education which fell 15%. Major sectors such as health care and restaurants each dropped 6%, following a 14% decrease in the creative sector. Internship openings, however, saw a significant increase of 67%.
This quarter’s industry spotlight highlights the manufacturing sector, where vacancies grew modestly year over year (+1.2%) and demand remained concentrated in engineering and production roles. Colorado continues to track closely with national manufacturing trends, with Denver and Colorado Springs driving much of the activity.
To view the Q3 jobs report, please visit: https://cochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/Colorado-Chamber-of-Commerce-2025-Q3-Final68.pdf.
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The Colorado Chamber Foundation is a non-profit educational foundation whose purpose is to support programs, research, educational opportunities and other initiatives that encourage and enhance a healthy business climate. The organization works collaboratively in partnership with state business leaders to advance Colorado’s economy and local communities through forward-thinking solutions.