Boulder Area Economic Summary
Updated May 31, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Unemployment rates for the Boulder area,
selected area counties, and the nation
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Boulder area, 3rd quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,027; Area = $1,216)
Unemployment rates
4.7
United States
4.1
2.9
Boulder area
1.8
2.9
Boulder Co.
1.8
0.0
2.0
4.0
Apr-16
6.0
Apr-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
Percent
Boulder area employment
(numbers in thousands)
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Apr-14
Boulder area
Apr-15
United States
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Apr-17
Total nonfarm
Mining, logging, and construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Change from Apr.
Apr. 2017
2016 to Apr. 2017
Number
Percent
3.7
0.3
0.1
0.2
-0.3
0.0
2.4
0.7
0.6
0.2
-0.5
2.0
5.7
0.6
0.8
-3.8
0.0
6.9
2.9
2.9
3.3
-1.3
189.9
5.6
17.3
25.1
7.7
7.0
37.1
25.1
21.3
6.2
37.5
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
• www.bls.gov/ro6
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, second half 2016
4.0
2.6
0.0
1.0
-0.2
0.0
Denver area
U.S. city average
-4.0
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Computer & electronic product mfg
2.0
0.2
-2.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
3.0
1.5
2.0
-6.0
Percent
4.0
-1.0
-3.1
-2.0
-4.6
All Items
Food
-3.0
Energy
-4.0
Apr-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
West Region average annual expenditures 2015
Apr-15
Boulder area
Total, all occupations
All other
$11,793
19.3%
Housing
$20,716
33.8%
Healthcare
$4,221
6.9%
Food
$7,776
12.7%
Transportation
$9,640
15.7%
Total:
$61,244
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
$29.04
$23.86
General and operations managers
66.15
58.70
Computer hardware engineers
55.81
57.07
Applications software developers
51.57
50.14
Atmospheric and space scientists
49.31
45.60
Human resources specialists
38.36
31.20
Accountants and auditors
36.87
36.89
Registered nurses
35.80
34.70
Mental health counselors
24.42
22.14
Customer service representatives
17.26
16.91
Construction laborers
15.83
18.22
Retail salespersons
15.71
13.07
Fast food cooks
10.37
9.89
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, December
2016
Apr-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$7,098
11.6%
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
Mountain (1)
$29.02
21.07
7.95
1.80
0.93
0.75
2.12
0.96
2.33
(1) Mountain includes AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, and WY.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$32.76
22.83
9.93
2.28
1.17
1.15
2.63
1.31
2.56
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
3.5
12-month percent changes in ECI
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
Mountain
Mar-15
United States
Mar-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Mountain-Plains Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/mountain-plains • 816-285-7000
Mar-17