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

WYOMING LABOR FORCE TRENDS

Vol. 44 No. 4

Strong Job Growth Continues in Wyoming

by: David Bullard, Senior Economist

Wyoming job growth was strong in February as 10,700 jobs were created compared to February 2006 (4.0%). The largest numbers of new jobs were in Construction and Natural Resources & Mining (including oil & gas). The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 2.6% in January to 2.3% in February. It remained much lower than the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.5%.

From January to February, Wyoming added 1,800 jobs or 0.7%. This level of increase is consistent with normal seasonal patterns. Seasonal job losses occurred in Retail Trade (-500 jobs or -1.7%), while employment increased in Construction (300 jobs or 1.4%) and Government (including public schools, colleges, and hospitals; 1,300 jobs or 2.0%).

Over the year, Wyoming gained 10,700 jobs or 4.0%. Construction displaced Natural Resources & Mining as the fastest growing sector (2,400 jobs or 11.9% compared to 2,200 jobs or 8.8%). Rapid job growth also occurred in Wholesale Trade (700 jobs or 8.9%), Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (700 jobs or 5.3%), Professional & Business Services (900 jobs or 5.7%), and Other Services (600 jobs or 5.8%). More modest gains were seen in Manufacturing (200 jobs or 2.1%), Retail Trade (200 jobs or 0.7%), Financial Activities (300 jobs or 2.8%), and Leisure & Hospitality (200 jobs or 0.7%). Employment fell slightly in Information (-100 jobs or -2.3%).

County unemployment rates, which were already low in January, fell further in February. Platte County posted the highest unemployment rate (4.7%) and it was followed by Washakie and Fremont counties (both 4.4%). The lowest unemployment rates were found in Sublette (1.7%), Campbell (2.1%), and Teton (2.2%) counties.