November News
by: David Bullard, Economist

"An estimated 10,740 individuals were unemployed, a decrease of 843 (-7.3%) from a year ago."

Continuing its upward trend, nonagricultural employment grew at a healthy pace in November. Wyoming employers added 3,700 jobs, giving the state a growth rate of 1.6 percent. While this remains below the national growth rate of 2.1 percent, the Figure shows that the gap between Wyoming and the U.S. is slowly closing. The cities of Casper and Cheyenne posted large job gains. Casper added 800 jobs for 2.6 percent growth, and Cheyenne added 900 jobs or 2.5 percent.

Large job gains were seen in Construction, Trade and Services. Construction employers added 1,100 jobs for a growth rate of 6.7 percent. Five-hundred new jobs were created in Trade for a 1.0 percent increase over November 1998. Employers in the Services industry added 1,500 jobs (3.1%). Within Services, the fastest growing industries were Hotels & Other Lodging Places (200 jobs or 2.9%), Business Services (700 jobs or 10.3%) and Social Services (300 jobs or 5.5%).

Job losses continued in the Mining industry. November estimates show a decrease of 500 jobs from a year ago. Oil & Gas extraction employment fell by 400 jobs (-4.8%) accounting for the majority of the job losses.

The employment situation in Casper followed the statewide pattern with large gains in Construction, Services and Trade, and job losses in Mining. In Cheyenne, Services and Construction employment were up, but employment in Trade was stable, showing no change over the year.

Reflecting healthy job growth and unseasonably warm, dry weather, Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.6 percent in October to 4.4 percent in November. An estimated 10,740 individuals were unemployed, a decrease of 843 (-7.3%) from a year ago.

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