sabthai // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Budget Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.9% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,450
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $96,680
Fastest-growing jobs in Colorado
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in Colorado. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Colorado.
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David Spates // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +19.7% (1,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,870
--- Employment in 2023: 7,410
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,420
Roman Korotkov // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Crossing Guards and Flaggers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +19.9% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,870
--- Employment in 2023: 1,560
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,660
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Demonstrators and Product Promoters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.2% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,010
--- Employment in 2023: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,710
Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Social and Community Service Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.2% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,740
--- Employment in 2023: 2,280
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $96,480
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rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Purchasing Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.2% (210 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,250
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $163,610
GolF2532 // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.4% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,750
KSai23 // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Chiropractors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.3% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,260
--- Employment in 2023: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $80,900
Said M // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.4% (500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,730
--- Employment in 2023: 2,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,780
zhu difeng // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.5% (670 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,650
--- Employment in 2023: 2,980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,660
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Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.8% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,290
--- Employment in 2023: 2,680
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,420
ORION PRODUCTION // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.9% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,950
--- Employment in 2023: 2,400
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,480
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.2% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,220
--- Employment in 2023: 990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,150
Motortion Films // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.5% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,260
--- Employment in 2023: 1,020
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,200
Undrey // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Data Entry Keyers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.6% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,040
--- Employment in 2023: 1,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,560
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.7% (1,250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,530
--- Employment in 2023: 5,280
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $75,120
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Physicians, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.2% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,210
--- Employment in 2023: 1,780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $239,200+
4 PM production // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Flight Attendants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.2% (1,470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,540
--- Employment in 2023: 6,070
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,050
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Food Service Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.0% (370 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,850
--- Employment in 2023: 1,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $82,270
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Electrical Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.2% (960 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,770
--- Employment in 2023: 3,810
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $112,880
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Chay_Tee // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Tax Preparers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.0% (500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,420
--- Employment in 2023: 1,920
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,860
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.9% (660 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,110
--- Employment in 2023: 2,450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $76,770
MAVV // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.0% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,730
--- Employment in 2023: 2,150
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,870
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.3% (710 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,310
--- Employment in 2023: 2,600
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,310
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.7% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,660
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,180
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Medical Equipment Preparers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.7% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,520
--- Employment in 2023: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,870
VH-studio // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Protective Service Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.7% (1,090 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,020
--- Employment in 2023: 3,930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,510
Yuriy Golub // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Glaziers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.6% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,880
--- Employment in 2023: 1,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,340
industryviews // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.2% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,010
--- Employment in 2023: 770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,940
Francesco Scatena // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.4% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,380
--- Employment in 2023: 1,050
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,030
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Africa Studio // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.8% (1,200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,970
--- Employment in 2023: 3,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,260
John Leung // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Brickmasons and Blockmasons
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.1% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,030
--- Employment in 2023: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,480
DGLimages // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.5% (1,480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,040
--- Employment in 2023: 4,560
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,700
Peakstock // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.8% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,580
--- Employment in 2023: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,820
DGLimages // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.8% (500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,980
--- Employment in 2023: 1,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $65,080
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DGLimages // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Healthcare Social Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.5% (1,060 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,050
--- Employment in 2023: 2,990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,740
Virrage Images // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +37.5% (960 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,520
--- Employment in 2023: 2,560
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,950
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +38.0% (2,080 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,550
--- Employment in 2023: 5,470
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,230
TaLaNoVa // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Sales Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.5% (770 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,720
--- Employment in 2023: 1,950
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $136,080
encierro // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.6% (410 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,420
--- Employment in 2023: 1,010
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,230
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Teachers and Instructors, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +41.9% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,660
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $77,810
Lighthunter // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Medical Equipment Repairers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +42.0% (370 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,250
--- Employment in 2023: 880
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,800
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Cargo and Freight Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +47.9% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,050
--- Employment in 2023: 710
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $51,430
Goldsithney // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Psychiatric Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.5% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,520
--- Employment in 2023: 990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,320
fizkes // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +57.7% (710 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,940
--- Employment in 2023: 1,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $126,260
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Gorgev // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +59.5% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,260
--- Employment in 2023: 790
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,860
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Cooks, Fast Food
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +61.2% (3,630 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,560
--- Employment in 2023: 5,930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,140
adriaticfoto // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +63.2% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,110
--- Employment in 2023: 680
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $52,970
Canva
49 / 50#2. Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +63.2% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,110
--- Employment in 2023: 680
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $52,970
rezoff // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Plant and System Operators, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +65.9% (540 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,360
--- Employment in 2023: 820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $52,210
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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