Career Atlas USA

Careers in Colorado

Colorado’s regional price level is above the national average (index 103.052, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 4.1% · Labor force participation: 65.9% · 3,075,586 people employed (2026-07, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Orthodontists$416,000
  2. 2Dermatologists$398,810
  3. 3Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$385,410
  4. 4Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$360,820
  5. 5Neurologists$356,250

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Fast Food and Counter Workers82,010 employed
  2. 2Retail Salespersons76,660 employed
  3. 3Stockers and Order Fillers55,520 employed
  4. 4Registered Nurses54,490 employed
  5. 5Cashiers51,670 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Atmospheric and Space Scientists6.22× national avg
  2. 2Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers5.98× national avg
  3. 3Information and Record Clerks, All Other5.60× national avg
  4. 4Computer Network Architects4.93× national avg
  5. 5Cartographers and Photogrammetrists4.61× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Orthodontists$403,680
  2. 2Dermatologists$386,999
  3. 3Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$373,996
  4. 4Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$350,134
  5. 5Neurologists$345,699

Strongest Opportunity Score

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  1. 1First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers95.2 / 100
  2. 2Architectural and Civil Drafters95 / 100
  3. 3First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services94.4 / 100
  4. 4Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists94.3 / 100
  5. 5Speech-Language Pathologists91.9 / 100

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score is a Career Atlas USA calculation — see methodology.