© Copyright 2007 by the Wyoming Department of Employment, Research & Planning

WYOMING LABOR FORCE TRENDS

Vol. 44 No. 10

Wyoming Job Growth Continues in August

by: David Bullard, Senior Economist

Wyoming job growth continued at a healthy pace in August (up 9,700 jobs or 3.4% from a year earlier). U.S. job growth was much slower (1.1% over the year). The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.7% in July to 3.4% in August and remained below the U.S. rate of 4.6%.

From July to August Wyoming lost 500 jobs (-0.2%). This level of decrease is consistent with normal seasonal patterns. Seasonal job gains in Construction (400 jobs or 1.5%) and Educational & Health Services (300 jobs or 1.3%) were more than offset by job losses in Leisure & Hospitality (-800 jobs or -2.0%) and Government (-300 jobs or -0.5%). The summer tourist season usually peaks in July and employment falls substantially in subsequent months.

Over the year Wyoming gained 9,700 jobs or 3.4%. The largest job gains were in Construction (1,500 jobs or 5.7%) and Government (including public schools, colleges, and hospitals; 1,500 jobs or 2.5%). Other notable increases occurred in Professional & Business Services (1,300 jobs or 7.2%), Leisure & Hospitality (1,200 jobs or 3.2%), Retail Trade (1,000 jobs or 3.1%), and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (1,000 jobs or 7.2%). Job growth in Natural Resources & Mining has slowed in recent months (500 jobs or 1.8%). Employment fell slightly in Information (-100 jobs or -2.4%).

Most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and decreased from July to August. Two exceptions were Washakie County where unemployment increased from 3.9% to 4.3% and Converse County where unemployment was unchanged at 3.0%. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Sublette (1.2%), Teton (1.4%), and Campbell (1.9%) counties.


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