As of 2007, Airolo had an unemployment rate of 2.58%. As of 2005, there were 65 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 24 businesses involved in this sector. 356 people were employed in the secondary sector and there were 20 businesses in this sector. 596 people were employed in the tertiary sector, with 74 businesses in this sector. There were 774 residents of the municipality who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 34.5% of the workforce.
In 2000, there were 451 workers who commuted into the municipality and 161 workers who commuted away. The municipality is a net importer of workers, with about 2.8 workers entering the municipality for every one leaving. Of the working population, 5.6% used public transportation to get to work, and 47.4% used a private car.
As of 2009, there were 8 hotels in Airolo with a total of 137 rooms and 322 beds
