Wyoming Unemployment Increases Slightly in April
by: David Bullard, Senior Economist

Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly, rising from 3.1 percent in March to 3.5 percent in April. It remained well below the U.S. unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. Despite the modest rise in unemployment, Wyoming’s economy continued to expand in April. An estimated 4,800 jobs (1.9%) were created compared to the previous year. April is the sixth straight month that Wyoming employment has grown faster than U.S. employment (1.7%).

From March to April, employment grew by 3,500 jobs (1.4%). Normal seasonal increases were seen in Construction (1,500 jobs or 8.7%), Retail Trade (300 jobs or 1.0%), Professional & Business Services (700 jobs or 4.7%), and Leisure & Hospitality (500 jobs or 1.7%).

From April 2004, Wyoming gained 4,800 jobs (1.9%). Natural Resources & Mining (including oil & gas) posted the largest job gains (2,400 jobs or 12.5%). Other notable increases were seen in Transportation & Utilities (300 jobs or 2.5%), Professional & Business Services (400 jobs or 2.6%), Education & Health Services (500 jobs or 2.3%), Leisure & Hospitality (600 jobs or 2.1%) and Government (300 jobs or 0.5%). Slight job losses occurred in Manufacturing (-100 jobs or -1.1%) and Retail Trade (-100 jobs or -0.3%).

Almost all county unemployment rates were stable or decreased from March to April. Teton County posted the highest rate (5.5%), followed by Fremont (4.8%) and Washakie (4.7%) counties. The lowest unemployment rate was found in Sublette County (2.0%), followed by Campbell (2.6%) and Albany (2.9%) counties.

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