2,700 New Jobs Created in Wyoming in October
by: David Bullard, Senior Economist

Wyoming job growth, which had remained below 1.0 percent for 16 months, turned upward in October as 2,700 jobs were created giving the state an over-the-year growth rate of 1.1 percent.* Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell slightly from 4.0 percent in September to 3.9 percent in October and remained well below the U.S. unemployment rate of 6.0 percent. The U.S. continued to lose jobs in over-the-year comparisons (down 226,000 jobs or -0.2%).

As expected, Wyoming lost 3,000 jobs (-1.2%) from September to October. The magnitude of this seasonal employment decrease is consistent with historical patterns. Job losses in Leisure & Hospitality (-3,800 jobs or -11.3%), Construction (-800 jobs or -3.7%), and Retail Trade (-600 jobs or -1.9%) were partially offset by gains in Government (2,300 jobs or 3.6%).

From October 2002 to October 2003, Wyoming gained 2,700 jobs (1.1%). The only significant job losses occurred in Manufacturing (-400 jobs or -4.1%) and Construction (-800 jobs or -3.7%). Large job gains were seen in Educational & Health Services (600 jobs or 3.0%), Information (300 jobs or 7.5%), Leisure & Hospitality (800 jobs or 2.7%), and Government (1,400 jobs or 2.2%). Natural Resources & Mining employment grew by 100 jobs or 0.6 percent.

Across Wyoming’s 23 counties, unemployment rates remained low. Fremont County posted the highest rate (4.9%) and was followed by Uinta County (4.3%), Natrona County (4.1%), and Lincoln County (4.1%). Albany County had the lowest unemployment rate in October (1.5%); it was followed by Johnson County (1.8%) and Goshen County (2.3%). When compared to October 2002, a majority of counties had lower unemployment rates. The exceptions were Teton County where unemployment increased from 2.2 percent to 3.7 percent, Carbon County (up from 3.4% to 4.0%), Crook County (up from 2.7% to 3.1%), and Sublette County (up from 2.3% to 2.6%).


*The over-the-year increase of 2,700 jobs is not statistically significant.
 

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