Colorado · Employment data 2025
Otero County
About 1 in 5 jobs — 21.2% — are in the top two exposure tiers. That is roughly 1,280 of 6,032 covered jobs.
This estimates the share of jobs in occupations with high or substantial task overlap in the 2023 ratings. It is not a job-loss forecast.
Some local data is missing. 45.0% of the employment base had to be estimated from withheld industry counts. Read broad patterns rather than small differences. About this estimate
How the county's jobs are distributed
“Covered jobs” are jobs in unemployment-insurance records; most self-employed work is excluded. The top two tiers make up 21.2% here, compared with 27.4% statewide and 25.9% nationally.
| Tier | Share of jobs | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| high overlap | 4.9% | 296 |
| substantial overlap | 16.3% | 981 |
| some overlap | 31.8% | 1,918 |
| little overlap | 47.0% | 2,838 |
Counties with similar job counts: San Miguel (19.2%), Elbert (22.4%), Archuleta (18.1%). Small differences should not be treated as precise rankings.
Across all of Otero County's jobs, 4.9% are in high-overlap occupations, 16.3% substantial, 31.8% some, and 47.0% little. Partially imputed estimate.
County context. Population 18,321. Median annual earnings for workers living here: $35,709 (±$1,817). 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates. These are residence-based — they describe the people who live in Otero County, while the employment figures describe the jobs located in it.
Plate I
Groups with the highest task overlap
- Computer and Mathematical 1.7% of jobs · score 56.2Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Software Developers
- Computer User Support Specialists
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Data Scientists
- Information Security Analysts
- Business and Financial Operations 4.5% of jobs · score 53.2Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Accountants and Auditors
- Project Management Specialists
- Human Resources Specialists
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Management Analysts
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents
- Office and Admin Support 10.9% of jobs · score 51.2Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Customer Service Representatives
- Office Clerks, General
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Life and Physical Science 1.0% of jobs · score 48.8Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Chemists
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Biological Technicians
- Arts, Design, and Media 1.1% of jobs · score 45.4Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Public Relations Specialists
- Coaches and Scouts
- Graphic Designers
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
- Producers and Directors
- Editors
| Occupation group | Estimated jobs | Share of county jobs | Mean exposure score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 101 | 1.7% | 56.2 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 271 | 4.5% | 53.2 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 660 | 10.9% | 51.2 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations | 60 | 1.0% | 48.8 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations | 63 | 1.1% | 45.4 |
Plate II
Large groups with lower task overlap
- Food Preparation and Serving 8.9% of jobs · score 13.8Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Fast Food and Counter Workers
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Cooks, Restaurant
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Food Preparation Workers
- Bartenders
- Transportation and Moving 7.2% of jobs · score 13.4Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Light Truck Drivers
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Healthcare Support 5.8% of jobs · score 13.1Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Nursing Assistants
- Medical Assistants
- Dental Assistants
- Phlebotomists
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
- Production 5.8% of jobs · score 10.5Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
- Machinists
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 3.7% of jobs · score 11.4Largest occupations in this group nationally:
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
| Occupation group | Estimated jobs | Share of county jobs | Mean exposure score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 534 | 8.9% | 13.8 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 435 | 7.2% | 13.4 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 353 | 5.8% | 13.1 |
| Production Occupations | 347 | 5.8% | 10.5 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 226 | 3.7% | 11.4 |
Plate III
Jobs versus modeled payroll
Using national average wages to model payroll, occupations in the top two tiers make up a larger share of payroll than of jobs in Otero County. This describes the estimated occupation mix, not observed local pay.
- Share of jobs 21.2%
Statewide 27.4%
- Share of payroll 28.0%
Statewide 34.8%
| Measure | Otero County | Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Share of jobs in high- or substantial-overlap occupations | 21.2% | 27.4% |
| Share of payroll in high- or substantial-overlap occupations | 28.0% | 34.8% |
Plate IV
How Otero County compares
| Otero County share | 21.2% |
|---|---|
| Typical (median) Colorado county | 21.2% |
| Colorado overall (employment-weighted) | 27.4% |
| United States overall | 25.9% |
| Lowest county share | 15.9% |
| Highest county share | 35.3% |
Cite this page
Colorado AI Exposure Atlas
Martin, Christopher. “AI Job Exposure in Otero County, Colorado.” Colorado AI Exposure Atlas, 2026 edition. https://coloradoaiexposureatlas.com/county/otero/.
2026 Edition · Employment data 2025 · Compiled by Christopher Martin
Download Otero County's data (JSON) — every number on this page, CC BY 4.0. Statewide files on the data page.