Most people who land work in Durango do it the same way. They go straight to the handful of big employers, apply early for seasonal jobs, and sort out housing alongside the offer.
What jobs does Durango actually have?
Count the jobs and you get about 36,000 across La Plata County in 2023. That number comes from the 2025 county housing study, which the City of Durango hosts. Here is where they sit:
| Industry | Jobs (2023) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Government | 6,156 | 17% |
| Health services | 3,862 | 11% |
| Retail trade | 3,848 | 11% |
| Accommodation and food | 3,605 | 10% |
| Construction | 2,943 | 8% |
| Professional and business services | 2,828 | 8% |
Professional and business services grew fastest over the past decade, up 777 jobs. The Economic Development Alliance of La Plata County also names financial technology, health care support, outdoor-industry back offices and food manufacturing as local strengths (Economic Development Alliance). That mix is why so many Durango residents work in software, payments and marketing from a desk with a mountain view.
Where should you apply first?
Go to the employer's own site. The big names are easy to list.
- The City of Durango has more than 400 full-time employees in thirteen departments. It posts openings on its employment page. See how to apply for City of Durango jobs.
- Durango School District 9-R lists openings and substitute roles on its human resources page. Jobs of 24 or more hours a week carry full health, dental and vision coverage.
- Fort Lewis College posts faculty and staff openings on its careers page.
- Mercy Hospital hires through CommonSpirit Health's Durango listings.
- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers year-round and seasonal work, per its employment page.
How do seasonal jobs work?
Summer and winter both run on seasonal staff. Purgatory Resort's benefits page lists a free season pass for you and your dependents, a free employee shuttle and a carpool incentive. Year-round staff also get health benefits and an employer 401(k) contribution. Ask about housing early. It decides who can take a seasonal job here.
Lodging and food service pay the least. The county study puts average pay in that industry near $21,000 a year in 2022. Across all industries, the average worker made $54,820. Those figures are old, but they explain why plenty of people work two jobs.
Can you work in tech or finance here?
Yes. The Economic Development Alliance says the move of Mercury Payment Systems from New York, now part of Worldpay, gave the region a niche in financial technology. It adds that the computer engineering program at Fort Lewis College feeds a pool of local talent, and that local firms have grown from it. Remote work is the other route. The Alliance points to high-speed internet and coworking space as reasons technology firms choose Durango.
What does the job market look like right now?
Softer than a year ago. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put La Plata County's unemployment rate at 4.1% in August 2026, which is 0.7 points above August 2025 (USAFacts). The figure is not adjusted for seasons, so it swings with tourism. One late-summer reading can mislead you.
Is there help with a job search?
Yes. The Durango Workforce Center is at 160 Rock Point Drive, Suite A. It offers job search help, career counseling, workshops and veteran services. Call 970-247-0308 (Durango Herald). Bring a resume, even a rough one. A counselor can sharpen it with you.
What about commuting and housing?
About 32% of La Plata County's workers live outside the county, mostly in San Juan County, New Mexico, and in Montezuma and Archuleta counties, per the same housing study. Employers told the study's authors that the housing shortage drives turnover and labor shortages. So check what rent costs in Durango before you accept an offer. Our moving to Durango guide covers the rest of the checklist.
Own a business and need to hire? Start with our answer on getting a business license in Durango.