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:
- Boulder Chamber of Commerce
- Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
- Bolder Small Business Development Center
- Downtown Boulder Business
- Boulder Innovation Center
The Daily Camera.com offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Boulder.