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, remote work, and the job-market picture.
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 (military & PCS);
- Aerospace & space: a significant aerospace and space-industry cluster, reinforced by the military space mission — a genuine “Space City” economy with real roots in the city's history (history);
- 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 (healthcare);
- 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, and the city's outdoor-first culture attracts a real remote-work population;
- 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.
For military-connected households
With such a heavy service and veteran presence, the military economy deserves its own look beyond this overview — see military relocation & PCS for base-by-base considerations and notes on spouse employment.
Finding work locally
Given how much of the economy runs through defense contracting and the military ecosystem, an existing or clearable security clearance is a real asset in several fields here — worth highlighting if you have one. Local professional associations, the tech and cybersecurity meetup scene, and defense-contractor job boards are all worth exploring alongside standard national job sites. Networking matters more than in a purely corporate metro, since much of the defense and aerospace world runs on relationships and referrals.
Commuting to work
Because the city is spread out, factor your actual commute into any job offer, not just the salary (getting around). A slightly lower salary with a short commute can beat a bigger number with an hour each way on I-25 or Powers Boulevard, once gas, vehicle wear and time are counted.
Starting a business or freelancing
The city's growth has brought a visible small-business and entrepreneurial scene downtown and in Old Colorado City, alongside a defense-contracting ecosystem that supports specialized consultancies and contractors. Local chambers of commerce and small-business resources are a reasonable first stop for licensing and zoning questions. As with anywhere, research current market conditions before committing.