City Town Info

Grand Junction Employment

Employment and Industries in the Grand Junction, Colorado Area

Grand Junction is regarded as the region's commercial center. The primary factors for the economy are healthcare, agriculture, tourism, livestock and oil and gas. The area also includes light manufacturing. In addition, Grand Junction has been ranked #24 for "Best small places for business and careers" by Forbes.com.

The largest employers in Grand Junction are shown below:

  • Mesa County District #51
  • St. Mary's Hospital & Medical Center
  • Mesa State College
  • State of Colorado
  • Mesa County
  • City of Grand Junction
  • Walmart
  • Halliburton Energy
  • Star Trek USA Inc
  • Community Hospital
  • City Markets Inc
  • Hilltop Community Resources Inc
  • Veterans Health Administration
  • US Postal Service
  • Rocky Mountain Health Plans
  • Family Health West
  • West Star Aviation
  • McDonald's
  • Mesa Developmental Services
  • Choice Hotels
  • Home Depot
  • Union Pacific Railroad

Grand Junction's major employment sectors are healthcare, education, construction; professional, scientific and technical services; accommodation and food services and government.

Some of the occupations more common in Grand Junction than most cities include rotary drill operators, oil and gas; conservation scientists, service unit operators, oil, gas and mining; excavating and loading machine and drag line operators; sheet metal workers, cement masons and concrete finishers, first-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers as well as computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic.

Notable data about Grand Junction: In 2008 the cost of living index was at 88.2. The nation's average is 100. Regarding the population over 25 years of age, about 26% have a bachelor's degree or higher. In 2009 the average earnings in Grand Junction was $27,000.

Grand Junction companies are offered assistance by business organizations such as:

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel offers current information about the business activities in Grand Junction.

Most Popular Jobs in Grand Junction, Colorado Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses82061,380$47,810 - 77,91024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products66047,480$22,650 - 75,9508%51%
3Accountants and auditors50052,750$32,770 - 84,49018%79%
4Lawyers22089,550$53,560 - 149,87011%99%
5Civil engineers18074,090$53,490 - 97,53018%87%
6Managers, all other17093,540$55,630 - 132,5207%55%
7Social and human service assistants16023,540$16,530 - 33,47034%58%
8Child, family, and school social workers15031,400$20,340 - 49,66019%77%
9Public relations specialists11043,220$21,960 - 72,50018%81%
10Conservation scientists11049,730$29,940 - 67,1805%86%
11Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation10046,970$26,070 - 67,7605%58%
12Coaches and scouts10032,520$20,350 - 49,51015%60%
13Sales and related workers, all other10033,380$20,050 - 41,32014%62%
14Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists9042,000$24,640 - 64,48018%56%
15Rehabilitation counselors9027,790$18,980 - 42,57023%73%
16Physical therapists9069,000$52,760 - 112,74027%89%
17Pharmacists90108,520$91,750 - 129,73022%97%
18Medical and health services managers9083,760$48,440 - 110,72016%57%
19Financial managers8087,100$47,570 - 129,60013%60%
20Advertising sales agents7054,030$18,160 - 116,94020%56%
21Teachers and instructors, all other7040,460$27,740 - 60,2909%54%
22Sales managers7084,240$36,510 - 155,91010%69%
23Computer specialists, all other7053,280$33,090 - 78,69015%68%
24Mechanical engineers7082,670$32,420 - 4%78%
25Training and development specialists6048,230$30,840 - 72,15018%56%
26Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents6059,810$27,040 - 82,23025%67%
27Medical and clinical laboratory technicians6044,030$31,440 - 52,56015%51%
28Mental health counselors6032,620$19,690 - 46,12030%73%
29Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products6062,130$37,380 - 100,50012%51%
30Computer software engineers, applications6096,430$55,740 - 163,89045%85%
31Medical and public health social workers5040,010$26,740 - 56,05024%77%
32Veterinarians5054,200$29,890 - 80,15035%100%
33Network and computer systems administrators5059,820$39,010 - 81,08027%50%
34Chief executives50156,520$100,570 - 2%65%
35Personal financial advisors50103,430$42,120 - 41%81%
36Social and community service managers4059,620$25,140 - 89,37025%72%
37Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists4048,750$29,580 - 70,28018%56%
38Occupational therapists4062,050$49,740 - 82,66023%90%
39Librarians4057,140$33,300 - 81,4104%85%
40Network systems and data communications analysts4063,210$25,180 - 101,20053%57%
41Graphic designers4041,130$23,390 - 62,26010%55%
42Computer systems analysts4063,560$29,620 - 101,18029%68%
43Interior designers4038,250$18,900 - 49,78020%55%
44Urban and regional planners4060,740$37,720 - 84,58015%92%
45Producers and directors4040,760$20,990 - 80,27011%75%
46Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other3049,200$31,340 - 76,13017%56%
47Floral designers3023,660$16,980 - 30,0800%55%
48Optometrists3060,680$42,620 - 134,46011%100%
49Environmental scientists and specialists, including health3071,390$48,340 - 97,38025%93%
50Dietitians and nutritionists3058,150$42,420 - 79,4309%72%
51Dentists, general30160,690$109,830 - 9%100%
52Computer and information systems managers30103,080$73,030 - 141,11016%73%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,05028,460$15,430 - 49,15012%25%
2Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,65017,480$15,130 - 20,50018%5%
3Cashiers1,64020,220$15,250 - 27,560-2%10%
4Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,63028,680$18,070 - 39,1301%18%
5Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,36042,140$26,030 - 59,97010%4%
6Waiters and waitresses1,330 11%14%
7General and operations managers1,20083,920$32,540 - 150,1402%48%
8Office clerks, general1,06023,380$15,310 - 34,43013%19%
9Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks89029,300$18,330 - 41,04013%16%
10First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers79068,240$43,400 - 119,7909%10%
11Executive secretaries and administrative assistants75042,450$25,770 - 61,51015%18%
12Rotary drill operators, oil and gas75054,580$43,100 - 71,480-4%0%
13Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners67023,080$15,880 - 31,03015%4%
14Stock clerks and order fillers65023,660$16,200 - 31,860-7%8%
15Construction laborers64028,840$19,460 - 39,04011%5%
16Truck drivers, light or delivery services62027,240$17,260 - 40,8208%4%
17Receptionists and information clerks60023,460$15,860 - 31,14017%13%
18Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand60026,090$17,250 - 38,4202%5%
19First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers57044,070$22,900 - 76,8304%25%
20Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants54024,840$20,520 - 30,81018%7%
21Maintenance and repair workers, general54030,940$17,490 - 48,56010%6%
22Home health aides53018,360$14,830 - 25,02049%7%
23Automotive service technicians and mechanics52039,390$20,480 - 61,97014%4%
24Cooks, restaurant51024,570$16,350 - 32,25012%5%
25Electricians48042,850$26,340 - 61,0007%7%
26Business operations specialists, all other48059,280$30,160 - 96,29021%49%
27Customer service representatives47026,650$17,310 - 37,66025%22%
28Maids and housekeeping cleaners47019,630$16,010 - 24,53013%5%
29Food preparation workers46020,380$16,720 - 25,46015%7%
30First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers46044,290$24,490 - 65,2706%29%
31Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters46041,850$25,070 - 64,08011%4%
32Carpenters40035,890$22,450 - 50,99010%6%
33Landscaping and groundskeeping workers39028,920$16,100 - 47,27018%6%
34First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers38030,990$19,200 - 44,81011%14%
35Counter and rental clerks38023,030$16,030 - 31,96023%16%
36Dishwashers36019,210$15,710 - 23,79010%3%
37Driver/sales workers35021,930$14,950 - 36,700-4%4%
38Tellers33023,240$18,890 - 29,07014%16%
39Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators33037,680$28,590 - 49,9108%3%
40Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining32040,440$26,790 - 75,540-4%0%
41Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers32039,140$24,500 - 61,6205%2%
42Child care workers31020,260$15,530 - 27,77018%15%
43Parts salespersons29036,070$20,960 - 53,540-1%6%
44Personal and home care aides28018,540$15,770 - 21,69051%10%
45Cement masons and concrete finishers28035,360$26,220 - 48,11011%2%
46Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers28019,770$14,900 - 29,80012%6%
47Sheet metal workers27041,250$23,390 - 58,2507%4%
48Medical secretaries25033,320$18,180 - 49,40017%18%
49Team assemblers24025,330$17,290 - 33,0600%5%
50Bartenders24030,570$15,140 - 71,13011%17%
51Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop24022,760$15,530 - 44,22010%17%
52Sales representatives, services, all other23064,070$21,920 - 150,63028%48%
53Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks23018,570$16,320 - 20,81017%14%
54Laundry and dry-cleaning workers22017,070$14,810 - 20,14010%5%
55Cleaners of vehicles and equipment22021,860$15,580 - 30,05014%3%
56Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses22040,540$30,730 - 50,95014%7%
57Billing and posting clerks and machine operators21029,060$22,490 - 36,9004%15%
58Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks21024,900$16,630 - 36,5204%6%
59First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers20053,600$36,100 - 76,960-4%15%
60Construction managers20061,240$33,990 - 100,75016%29%
61Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists20024,050$17,580 - 30,45012%6%
62First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers19059,430$34,500 - 83,9107%13%
63Bill and account collectors17040,970$27,710 - 51,52023%13%
64Cooks, institution and cafeteria16025,340$18,210 - 32,75011%5%
65Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists16046,670$29,760 - 74,57012%3%
66Helpers--production workers16023,910$17,310 - 33,2800%4%
67Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic16028,880$17,010 - 48,920-2%6%
68Packers and packagers, hand16017,630$14,920 - 23,890-11%3%
69Computer support specialists15044,930$24,700 - 66,59013%43%
70Dental assistants15029,560$23,680 - 37,02029%9%
71Healthcare support workers, all other15028,730$22,760 - 33,53016%10%
72Loan interviewers and clerks15035,030$26,680 - 45,8800%24%
73Postal service mail carriers150 1%11%
74Interviewers, except eligibility and loan14027,170$22,190 - 32,52010%24%
75Medical assistants14030,210$25,050 - 37,10035%10%
76Preschool teachers, except special education14022,640$15,320 - 32,45026%43%
77Cooks, fast food14017,860$15,150 - 22,0708%5%
78Machinists14037,030$24,530 - 55,120-2%3%
79Painters, construction and maintenance13036,730$27,360 - 49,19012%6%
80Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators13037,060$28,170 - 49,2908%4%
81Insurance sales agents13039,500$17,820 - 70,73013%45%
82Recreation workers13024,100$15,760 - 33,43013%47%
83All other information and record clerks13036,350$26,460 - 49,930-12%21%
84Drywall and ceiling tile installers130 7%2%
85Security guards13025,920$19,710 - 32,97017%13%
86Dental hygienists12065,980$55,630 - 81,16030%33%
87Highway maintenance workers12040,330$33,720 - 49,0409%5%
88Pharmacy technicians12029,820$24,680 - 35,82032%16%
89Amusement and recreation attendants11017,290$14,850 - 20,80024%22%
90Loan officers11063,380$33,810 - 104,52012%49%
91First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers11069,750$31,570 - 101,9504%38%
92Cost estimators10055,990$35,100 - 80,28019%32%
93Industrial truck and tractor operators10029,090$20,690 - 39,220-1%2%
94Tire repairers and changers10026,640$15,750 - 39,56020%6%
95Food servers, nonrestaurant10018,410$15,010 - 25,28016%9%
96Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators90 -7%12%
97Court, municipal, and license clerks90 9%24%
98Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance9038,280$18,270 - 56,3802%11%
99Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other9035,860$17,360 - 59,3108%9%
100Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products9047,140$28,920 - 74,5700%42%
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Jobs More Common Near Grand Junction Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas54,580750149.3
Conservation scientists49,73011048.1
Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining40,44032041.7
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators37,0601308
Sheet metal workers41,2502704.7
Cement masons and concrete finishers35,3602803.7
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers68,2407903.6
Highway maintenance workers40,3301203.6
Parts salespersons36,0702903.6
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic28,8801603.5
Tire repairers and changers26,6401003.1
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18,5702302.9
Drywall and ceiling tile installers 1302.9
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers17,0702202.8
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters41,8504602.7
Driver/sales workers21,9303502.5
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators37,6803302.5
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers39,1403202.5
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer42,1401,3602.3
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive28,6801,6302.3
Construction managers61,2402002.3
Counter and rental clerks23,0303802.2
Healthcare support workers, all other28,7301502.2
Automotive service technicians and mechanics39,3905202.1
Electricians42,8504802
General and operations managers83,9201,2001.9
Sales and related workers, all other33,3801001.9
Dishwashers19,2103601.8
Loan interviewers and clerks35,0301501.8
Dental hygienists65,9801201.8
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists46,6701601.8
Truck drivers, light or delivery services27,2406201.8
Retail salespersons28,4603,0501.8
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment21,8602201.8
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers19,7702801.7
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop22,7602401.7
Civil engineers74,0901801.7
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan27,1701401.7
Construction laborers28,8406401.7
Personal and home care aides18,5402801.7
Home health aides18,3605301.6
Coaches and scouts32,5201001.6
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food17,4801,6501.6
All other information and record clerks36,3501301.6
Child, family, and school social workers31,4001501.5
Tellers23,2403301.5
Cooks, restaurant24,5705101.5
Waiters and waitresses 1,3301.5
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists24,0502001.4
Medical secretaries33,3202501.4

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Grand Junction, Colorado Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Bartenders30,5701.58240
Bill and account collectors40,9701.33170
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop22,7601.28240
Sales representatives, services, all other64,0701.24230
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers28,9201.19390
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists46,6701.19160
Parts salespersons36,0701.18290
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers68,2401.17790
Retail salespersons28,4601.173,050
Highway maintenance workers40,3301.15120
Medical secretaries33,3201.15250
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers44,0701.14570
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers19,7701.14280
Cooks, restaurant24,5701.13510
Managers, all other93,5401.13170
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer42,1401.121,360
Dishwashers19,2101.12360
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers39,1401.11320
All other information and record clerks36,3501.1130
Loan interviewers and clerks35,0301.1150
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants42,4501.09750
Cashiers20,2201.091,640
Automotive service technicians and mechanics39,3901.09520
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand26,0901.08600
Medical assistants30,2101.08140
Cooks, institution and cafeteria25,3401.07160
Loan officers63,3801.07110
Painters, construction and maintenance36,7301.07130
Computer support specialists44,9301.07150
Pharmacy technicians29,8201.06120
Food preparation workers20,3801.06460
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas54,5801.06750
Child care workers20,2601.05310
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers59,4301.04190
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment21,8601.04220
Dental hygienists65,9801.04120
Stock clerks and order fillers23,6601.04650
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants24,8401.03540
Security guards25,9201.03130
Cooks, fast food17,8601.03140
Maids and housekeeping cleaners19,6301.03470
Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining40,4401.03320
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses40,5401.02220
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers30,9901.02380
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food17,4801.011,650
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers53,6001.01200
Civil engineers74,0901.01180
Helpers--production workers23,9101.01160
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners23,0801.01670
Business operations specialists, all other59,2801.01480

Highest Paying Jobs in Grand Junction, Colorado Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Family and general practitioners213,010 
Dentists, general160,69030
Chief executives156,52050
Pharmacists108,52090
Personal financial advisors103,43050
Computer and information systems managers103,08030
Electrical engineers96,860 
Computer software engineers, applications96,43060
Managers, all other93,540170
Lawyers89,550220
Financial managers87,10080
Sales managers84,24070
General and operations managers83,9201,200
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other83,840 
Medical and health services managers83,76090
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers82,88050
Mechanical engineers82,67070
Physician assistants77,100 
Civil engineers74,090180
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health71,39030
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers69,750110
Management analysts69,300 
Physical therapists69,00090
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers68,240790
Insurance underwriters66,870 
Dental hygienists65,980120
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators64,97060
Sales representatives, services, all other64,070230
Computer systems analysts63,56040
Loan officers63,380110
Network systems and data communications analysts63,21040
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products62,13060
Occupational therapists62,05040
Registered nurses61,380820
Construction managers61,240200
Urban and regional planners60,74040
Optometrists60,68030
Network and computer systems administrators59,82050
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents59,81060
Social and community service managers59,62040
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers59,430190
Business operations specialists, all other59,280480
Dietitians and nutritionists58,15030
Librarians57,14040
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators56,88050
Crane and tower operators56,61080
Cost estimators55,990100
Market research analysts55,630 
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas54,580750
Veterinarians54,20050

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