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
- STARTEK
- 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.