Statewide payroll kept pace with inflation in the second quarter of 1995; from the second quarter of 1994 to the second quarter of 1995 the rate of inflation grew by 3.1 percent while payroll increased by 3.7 percent in Wyoming. Crook, Teton and Niobrara Counties had the largest percent changes in payroll with a 17.3, 17.3 and 16.3 percent increase, respectively. Hot Springs, Johnson, Sublette and Platte Counties showed decreases in payroll, with Hot Springs having the largest decrease (15.9%)--adding on the rate of inflation, this would be a 19.0 percent decline in the value of the payroll. Growth in payroll in the rest of the counties was fairly close to the rate of inflation.
Total payroll change shows interesting results; however, it is more useful when examined in conjunction with population, covered employment and historical wage data. For example, the dramatic change in Niobrara County's total payroll can be explained mostly by the small population of the county. From second quarter 1994 to second quarter 1995, average covered employment changed from 754 to 821 employees. This 8.8 percent change was only a numerical change of 67 workers. Likewise, the total payroll exhibited a small numerical change, but due to the small numbers involved, the percent change was impressively large compared to other areas in the state.
As for the other large payroll percent changes in the state, Hot Springs County has been declining in total payroll and average covered employment for several years; it continued to decrease in the second quarter of 1995. Crook County has experienced growth in Mining and Services, both in terms of total payroll and covered employment, resulting in its total payroll change of 17.3 percent. Finally, the 17.3 percent increase in Teton County's total payroll is due in part to an increase in the Services industry (refer to "Comparison of the Industries of Campbell, Laramie, Natrona, Sweetwater and Teton Counties").
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