Jobs and the economy in Colorado Springs
The Colorado Springs economy: the large military presence, aerospace and defense, the growing tech and cybersecurity sector, healthcare, tourism, and the job-market picture.
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A diverse, anchored economy
Colorado Springs has an unusually stable and diverse economy for its size, anchored by a huge military and defense presence and broadened by growing tech, healthcare and tourism sectors.
The major sectors
- Military & defense: the foundation — multiple major installations (Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever, the US Air Force Academy, and Space Command's presence) make the military and associated defense contracting an enormous economic force and a defining part of the city's identity;
- Aerospace & space: a significant aerospace and space-industry cluster, reinforced by the military space mission — a genuine “Space City” economy;
- Technology & cybersecurity: a growing tech sector, with cybersecurity a particular strength (tied to the defense ecosystem);
- Healthcare: major hospital systems and a large healthcare employment base;
- Tourism: the outdoor attractions, Olympic connections (the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and Museum are here) and Pikes Peak drive a substantial visitor economy.
The job-market reality
- Strong for some fields: defense, aerospace, tech/cyber, healthcare and military-adjacent work are well-represented;
- Remote work is a big and growing part of the picture — many newcomers bring their jobs with them for the lifestyle;
- Wage vs cost: weigh your field's local pay against the housing costs — the balance varies by profession;
- Military transitions: a large veteran population reflects how many service members choose to stay after being stationed here.
Verify current conditions. The job market, major employers and economic specifics change — check current local sources when planning a move around employment.