Colorado’s unemployment rate for November remained steady at 3.3%, with no changes from October, as per the Department of Labor and Employment’s monthly update. The data is derived from two surveys focusing on households and employers. The total number of unemployed individuals increased by 1,900, totalling 107,900.

On a national scale, unemployment decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point, falling to 3.7%. County-specific rates showcased a 2.8% unemployment rate for Larimer and Boulder, Broomfield at 3.2% and Weld County equalling the state’s rate at 3.3%. Additionally, Colorado’s labor force saw a growth of 2,700 in November to 3,249,700.

In terms of employment numbers, 800 individuals were added to the Colorado workforce in November, increasing the total to 3,141,900, or 66.2% of the state’s population aged over 16. The CDLE’s employer survey revealed that 700 nonfarm jobs were lost from October to November, bringing the total to 2.9 million. This was due to a drop in private sector jobs by 2,100, despite government employers adding 1,400 positions.

The past year saw some sectors benefiting from job additions, such as ‘other services’ (900), leisure and hospitality (16,800), professional and business services (9,200), and educational and health services (6,300). In contrast, there were job losses in the transportation and utilities sector (8,600), financial activities (8,300), construction (4,400), and information sector (1,900). The overall job growth rate in Colorado was reported to be 1.1%, which is less than the national 1.8% rate.

Finally, the data indicates that Colorado workers are working longer hours each week, with the 12-month average rising from 33.1 hours to 33.5 hours, and average hourly earnings growing from $35.35 per hour to $36.93. The national average hourly wage over the past year was reported to be $34.10.