Utah Job Growth Outpacing Colorado

Colorado’s wage and salary employment is about twice the size of Utah’s wage and salary employment. In some state rankings, it has been reported that Utah is adding workers at a faster rate than Colorado.

Since 1990, Utah wage and salary employment has grown at a faster rate than Colorado, although the two states grew at a similar rate during the 1990s.

A review of the following six industries shows that Utah has increased at a faster relative rate than Colorado between 1990 and 2013:
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Tourism
• Information
• Professional and Business Services
• Financial Activities

The following factors contribute to Utah’s faster rate of growth:
• Utah was showcased around the world for the 2002 Olympics.
• Utah has many of the same assets that Colorado has – quality of life, scenery, tourism, solid higher education.
• Because its rate of growth is calculated off a smaller base, Utah is likely to have a higher rate of growth. That statement is not intended to detract from Utah’s appeal as a place to live, work, and play.

It is common to rank and compare the performance of states. The most important take-away from this comparison is the fact that Colorado and Utah are both popular strong performing states.

Colorado vs. Utah Job Growth