Mesa County's economic landscape continues to evolve, with a notable rebound in the health care sector contributing to overall employment trends. Between August 2023 and August 2024, the health care workforce in the county increased by over 300 individuals, reflecting a growing demand for medical professionals. This surge has also led to a significant rise in health care wages, which increased by over $15.5 million, marking a 7.5% growth [74107d15].
Community Hospital reported that the average staff salary rose from approximately $80,000 in 2022 to just under $95,000 in 2024. Similarly, the VA Western Colorado Hospital's average salary for clinical staff reached $125,000, not including benefits. These increases underscore the competitive nature of the health care job market in Mesa County, which is now the largest industry in the area, employing 13,451 individuals [74107d15].
The overall employment figures in Mesa County showed a slight decline, with total employment dropping from 74,145 in June 2023 to 72,993 in June 2024, although there was a minor recovery to 73,022 in the second quarter. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9% in Q2 2024, up from 3.8% in Q1 [e11d41ce].
In addition to health care, total building permits issued in the county reached 3,792, comparable to last year's total of 3,880, with single-family home permits increasing by nearly 47%. Inflation has eased to 2.5% as of August 2024, while U.S. GDP growth was reported at 3% in Q2 2024, creating a more favorable economic environment [e11d41ce].
Despite the rising wages in health care, there are concerns that these increases may lead to higher health care costs for consumers. Chris Thomas, CEO of Community Hospital, and Nathan Perry, an economics professor, provided insights on these wage trends and their potential implications for the local economy [74107d15].
Overall, while the labor market faces challenges, the health care sector's growth presents a positive development for Mesa County's economy, highlighting the importance of this industry in driving employment and wage increases [74107d15].
