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Wyoming Labor Force Trends

October 2024 | Volume 61, No. 10


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Wyoming Unemployment Rises to 3.0% in August 2024

by: David Bullard, Senior Economist

The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted1 unemployment rate rose slightly from 2.9% in July to 3.0% in August. Wyoming’s unemployment rate was slightly higher than its year-ago level of 2.8%, but much lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 4.2%.

From July to August, unemployment rates rose in every county. It is somewhat unusual for jobless rates to increase in August. The largest increases occurred in Platte (up from 2.7% to 3.6%), Goshen (up from 2.6% to 3.4%), and Niobrara (up from 1.8% to 2.6%) counties.

From August 2023 to August 2024, unemployment rates increased in every county, perhaps suggesting that economic growth is moderating around the state. The largest increases were found in Goshen (up from 2.2% to 3.4%), Johnson (up from 2.2% to 3.1%), and Platte (up from 2.7% to 3.6%) counties.
Teton County posted the lowest unemployment rate in August at 1.8%. It was followed by Crook County at 2.5%. The highest unemployment rates were found in Big Horn County, Platte County, and Sublette County, each at 3.6%.

Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates show that total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 297,800 in August 2023 to 299,000 in August 2024, an increase of 1,200 jobs (0.4%).

R&P's most recent monthly news release is available at https://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/news.htm.


1Seasonal adjustment is a statistical procedure to remove the impact of normal regularly recurring events (such as weather, major holidays, and the opening and closing of schools) from economic time series to better understand changes in economic conditions from month to month.