Boulder Employment

Employment and Industries in the Boulder, Colorado Area

Science and technology are the major industries in Boulder. The city is also known for its economic diversity and academic resources. The area has developed prominent high-technology, aerospace and electronic industries with the assistance of the research performed at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The university and the numerous technology and research-oriented companies attract many college graduates and professionals into Boulder's labor market.

The economy is bolstered by the numerous defense contractors, satellite and communication firms and research centers. The flourishing technology sector has also increased Boulder's manufacturing sector. In addition, the economy is also powered by healthcare, education and the government.

Boulder includes a developing renewable energy sector. In addition, the municipality is expected to have a large impact on environmental sustainability and other global issues.

Jobs that are more common in the Boulder area when compared to most cities are atmospheric and space scientists, computer hardware engineers, physicists, social scientists and related workers, chemists, electronic engineers, chemical technicians, chemical engineers, aerospace engineers and environmental scientists and specialists, including health.

The major non-agricultural sectors for jobs in Boulder are shown below:

  • Government
  • Professional and business services
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Information
  • Finance

Boulder's Economic Vitality Program offers a variety of assistance. The program's objective is to attract new companies and help existing companies expand. The program supports numerous industry clusters including bioscience, software, natural and organic food, sustainable technologies and creative services. In addition, the Colorado FIRST/Existing Industry Customized Training Programs fund employee training for transferable jobs skills in order to enhance a company's ability to compete in the marketplace and to enhance long-term job opportunities of employees.

Notable data about Boulder: The percentage of Boulder residents over the age of 25 that hold a bachelor's degree or higher is substantially higher than the nation's average. In 2008 the cost of living index was at 117.5. The nation's average is 100. In 2007 the estimated median household income was $52,000.

Shown below is a list of the major employers in the Boulder area:

  • University of Colorado at Boulder
  • IBM Corp
  • Boulder Valley School District
  • Sun Microsystems Inc
  • Storage Technology Corp
  • Ball Corp
  • St. Vrain School District
  • Electronic Data Systems Corp
  • Boulder Community Hospital
  • Level 3 Communications Inc
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Covidien
  • City of Boulder
  • National Center for Atmospheric Research
  • Amgen
  • Micro Motion
  • Crispin Porter + Bogusky
  • Crocs
  • Polycom
  • Qualcom
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Celestial Seasonings
  • Medtronic
  • Digital Globe
  • Pangea Organics
  • Rally Software Development Corp

Boulder companies have access to business organizations such as:

The Daily Camera.com offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Boulder.

Jobs in Boulder

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations185810$67,160$32.29100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations20000$44,220$21.2613.75
3Sales and Related Occupations17850$54,870$26.389.5
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations17600$30,370$14.68.7
5Business and Financial Operations Occupations17100$87,300$41.975.35
6Computer and Mathematical Occupations15100$103,430$49.733
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations11790$60,340$29.016
8Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations9720$93,810$45.15.85
9Management Occupations9520$149,760$726.35
10Production Occupations9400$42,410$20.395.6
11Transportation and Material Moving Occupations8840$38,850$18.686.7
12Architecture and Engineering Occupations8310$103,480$49.751.7
13Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers7080$118,450$56.950.65
14Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations5730$96,710$46.490.8
15Healthcare Support Occupations5350$36,860$17.722.85
16Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations5080$52,790$25.383.75
17Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other4990$94,370$45.370.7
18Construction and Extraction Occupations4850$51,280$24.664.6
19Retail Salespersons4780$33,030$15.882.7
20Fast Food and Counter Workers4670$26,120$12.562.45
21Personal Care and Service Occupations4600$40,750$19.594.65
22Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations4330$36,050$17.333.6
23Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations4100$62,480$30.041.8
24Waiters and Waitresses3400$26,990$12.981.65
25Cashiers3200$27,190$13.072.2
26Registered Nurses3170$80,040$38.481.95
27Accountants and Auditors3160$87,910$42.260.9
28General and Operations Managers2790$148,760$71.521.5
29Office Clerks, General2790$43,640$20.981.9
30Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists2670$82,420$39.620.45
31Cooks, Restaurant2610$32,430$15.590.9
32Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel2600$85,810$41.260.7
33Community and Social Service Occupations2530$53,480$25.711.75
34Protective Service Occupations2240$60,540$29.112.2
35Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive2150$40,670$19.551.4
36Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners2130$33,570$16.141.5
37Home Health and Personal Care Aides2000$32,040$15.40
38Stockers and Order Fillers2000$34,380$16.531.25
39Customer Service Representatives1990$40,940$19.681.75
40Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products1960$83,050$39.930.85
41Computer User Support Specialists1850$61,860$29.740.4
42Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks1750$46,020$22.131.05
43Receptionists and Information Clerks1640$33,120$15.920.7
44First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1500$45,230$21.740.6
45Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers1470$38,590$18.550.2
46Computer Occupations, All Other1460$98,740$47.470.3
47Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1340$33,440$16.081.8
48First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1290$65,370$31.430.95
49Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1240$38,820$18.670.75
50Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators1220$35,110$16.880.8
51Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1210$48,180$23.160.9
52Driver/Sales Workers1130$30,530$14.680.3
53Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants1060$60,460$29.070.35
54First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers1040$58,960$28.350.95
55Network and Computer Systems Administrators1040$91,610$44.040.2
56Buyers and Purchasing Agents1030$69,380$33.350.25
57Nursing Assistants1030$35,510$17.070.95
58Human Resources Specialists1010$76,320$36.690.4
59Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1000$40,100$19.280.4
60Computer and Information Systems Managers930$181,910$87.460.3
61Computer Hardware Engineers900$128,980$62.010
62Mechanical Engineers880$98,010$47.120.2
63Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors870$56,690$27.250.2
64Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health850$79,800$38.370.1
65Childcare Workers830$31,850$15.310.7
66Construction Laborers820$36,920$17.750.9
67Electronics Engineers, Except Computer820$118,230$56.840.1
68Bartenders810$35,620$17.120.4
69Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other800$151,540$72.860.7
70Computer Systems Analysts770$101,210$48.660.4
71Food Preparation Workers770$30,970$14.890.5
72Aerospace Engineers760$130,890$62.930
73Industrial Engineers760$105,460$50.70.2
74Packers and Packagers, Hand760$27,530$13.230.4
75Physicists750$135,660$65.220
76Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education750$38,000$18.270.3
77Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria740$33,280$160.3
78Counter and Rental Clerks740$38,230$18.380.3
79Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop740$29,120$140.3
80Information and Record Clerks, All Other720$45,910$22.070.1
81Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers720$51,650$24.830.35
82First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers700$68,780$33.070.4
83Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics690$47,760$22.960.5
84Carpenters690$52,840$25.410.6
85Management Analysts670$95,220$45.780.55
86Computer Network Architects650$116,400$55.960.1
87Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists650$52,120$25.060.4
88Light Truck Drivers650$36,790$17.690.6
89Medical Assistants650$40,450$19.450.45
90Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents650$62,860$30.220.3
91Dishwashers640$25,370$12.20.3
92Electricians640$54,260$26.090.45
93First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers640$73,260$35.220.4
94Financial Managers630$171,900$82.650.4
95Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors620$56,720$27.270.2
96Amusement and Recreation Attendants580$27,450$13.20.2
97Dental Assistants580$41,450$19.930.2
98Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other580$96,910$46.590.2
99Graphic Designers580$61,920$29.770.2
100Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity580$39,920$19.190.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Boulder Colleges
Boulder colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Boulder Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$67,160185,810
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$44,22020,000
Sales and Related Occupations$54,87017,850
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$30,37017,600
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$87,30017,100
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$103,43015,100
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$60,34011,790
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$93,8109,720
Management Occupations$149,7609,520
Production Occupations$42,4109,400
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$38,8508,840
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$103,4808,310
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$118,4507,080
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$96,7105,730
Healthcare Support Occupations$36,8605,350
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$52,7905,080
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$94,3704,990
Construction and Extraction Occupations$51,2804,850
Retail Salespersons$33,0304,780
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,1204,670
Personal Care and Service Occupations$40,7504,600
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$36,0504,330
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$62,4804,100
Waiters and Waitresses$26,9903,400
Cashiers$27,1903,200
Registered Nurses$80,0403,170
Accountants and Auditors$87,9103,160
General and Operations Managers$148,7602,790
Office Clerks, General$43,6402,790
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$82,4202,670
Cooks, Restaurant$32,4302,610
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$85,8102,600
Community and Social Service Occupations$53,4802,530
Protective Service Occupations$60,5402,240
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$40,6702,150
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,5702,130
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$32,0402,000
Stockers and Order Fillers$34,3802,000
Customer Service Representatives$40,9401,990
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$83,0501,960
Computer User Support Specialists$61,8601,850
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46,0201,750
Receptionists and Information Clerks$33,1201,640
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,2301,500
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$38,5901,470
Computer Occupations, All Other$98,7401,460
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$33,4401,340
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$65,3701,290
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$38,8201,240
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$35,1101,220

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$67,160185,810
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$44,22020,000
Sales and Related Occupations$54,87017,850
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$30,37017,600
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$87,30017,100
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$103,43015,100
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$60,34011,790
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$93,8109,720
Management Occupations$149,7609,520
Production Occupations$42,4109,400
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$38,8508,840
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$103,4808,310
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$118,4507,080
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$96,7105,730
Healthcare Support Occupations$36,8605,350
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$52,7905,080
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$94,3704,990
Construction and Extraction Occupations$51,2804,850
Retail Salespersons$33,0304,780
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,1204,670
Personal Care and Service Occupations$40,7504,600
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$36,0504,330
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$62,4804,100
Waiters and Waitresses$26,9903,400
Cashiers$27,1903,200
Registered Nurses$80,0403,170
Accountants and Auditors$87,9103,160
General and Operations Managers$148,7602,790
Office Clerks, General$43,6402,790
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$82,4202,670
Cooks, Restaurant$32,4302,610
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$85,8102,600
Community and Social Service Occupations$53,4802,530
Protective Service Occupations$60,5402,240
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$40,6702,150
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,5702,130
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$32,0402,000
Stockers and Order Fillers$34,3802,000
Customer Service Representatives$40,9401,990
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$83,0501,960
Computer User Support Specialists$61,8601,850
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46,0201,750
Receptionists and Information Clerks$33,1201,640
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,2301,500
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$38,5901,470
Computer Occupations, All Other$98,7401,460
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$33,4401,340
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$65,3701,290
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$38,8201,240
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$35,1101,220

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