Wyoming Employment Growth Strong in February
by: David Bullard, Economist

"Wyoming added 5,000 new jobs for a growth rate of 2.3 percent. This compares favorably with a national job growth rate of 2.0 percent in February."

Continuing the trend of the past few months, nonagricultural employment grew at a healthy pace in February. Wyoming added 5,000 new jobs for a growth rate of 2.3 percent. This compares favorably with a national job growth rate of 2.0 percent in February. Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in February, the same as the U.S. average and a large drop from 5.1 percent in February 1999.

Three industries accounted for 80.0 percent of the job growth: Construction (900 jobs), Trade (1,300 jobs) and Services (1,800 jobs). Within Construction, large gains were seen in Heavy Construction (400 jobs or 10.3%) and Special Trade Construction (400 jobs or 5.9%). In the Services sector, job growth was especially strong in Membership Organizations (600 jobs or 18.8%), Social Services (400 jobs or 7.0%) and Health Services (400 jobs or 3.9%). Suggesting continued growth in tourism, Hotels & Other Lodging Places added 300 jobs or 4.3 percent. The job gains in Retail Trade were particularly broad-based, with every two-digit industry except Furniture & Home Furnishings Stores showing job gains.

Civilian Labor Force grew by 1,058 individuals or 0.4 percent, much slower than employment. This is largely due to a significant drop in the number of unemployed (down 2,443 or 14.8%). Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.1 percent for the second month in a row.

In a departure from a previous pattern, Wyoming’s two metropolitan areas had declining employment. Casper lost 100 jobs (0.3%) and employment in Cheyenne dropped by 500 jobs or 1.4 percent.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims fell dramatically over the year. Continued UI claims were down by 23.6 percent, while Initial UI claims decreased by 44.8 percent. Initial claims fell in every industry and every county except Washakie County. Continued claims fell in every county except Big Horn County and every industry except Government.

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