Wyoming average annual monthly employment of 209,431 in 1994 showed a 6,868 jobs (3.4%) increase when compared to 202,563 in 1993 (Table 1). An impressive $217.6 million (4.9%) total payroll increase occurred over the 1993-94 period when compared to 1992-93 $205.4 million (4.9%) increase. The 1994 average annual wage of $22,071 increased from $21,745 in 1993. This increase of $326 (1.5%) suggests that the average annual wage has not kept up with the 1994 rate of inflation of 2.6 percent.

The nation had an average annual wage of $26,939 in 1994, compared to a state average annual wage of $22,071, a 22 percent difference of $4,868.

Wyoming is basically a service-producing state (transportation, wholesale and retail trade, finance, services, state, local, and federal government). Retail trade barely remains the largest employment division within the service-producing sector. Retail trade showed the second largest 1993-94 employment gain of 1,653 jobs (4.0%). Services, the second largest employment division within private industry (Table 7), showed the largest 1993-94 employment gains of 2,073 jobs (5.1%). The sole private sector division to decline in employment was transportation, communications, & public utilities, with a loss of 147 jobs (-1.3%). State and federal government lost 110 jobs (-0.9%) and 16 jobs (-0.2%), respectively.

The entire goods-producing sector (construction, mining, manufacturing) showed increases in the number of jobs worked. Mining, the fourth largest statewide employment division, gained 21 jobs (0.1%). Non-metallic minerals lost 15 jobs (-0.4%); oil and gas extraction lost 10 jobs (-0.1%); and metal mining lost 4 jobs (-0.7%). Coal mining gained 50 jobs (1.1%) within the mining division. Construction increased by 1,442 jobs (11.8%) and manufacturing gained 449 jobs (4.7%). Special trade contractors gained 780 jobs (13.8%); general building contractors gained 534 jobs (18.0%); and heavy construction, except building, increased by 128 jobs (3.5%). Job gains within manufacturing included 95 in fabricated metal products (27.7%), 79 in stone, clay, glass, and concrete products (12.3%), 70 in lumber and wood products (4.9%), and 67 in electronic and other electric equipment. However, significant job losses in manufacturing included 51 in printing and publishing (-2.9%), and 22 in industrial machinery and equipment (-1.9%).

Geographically, all regions showed growth between 1993 and 1994. The Southwest Region (see map) led the other regions in 1993-94 annual average monthly employment growth with a gain of 1,568 jobs (3.4% - Table 83). Most of the Southwest Regions increase occurred in Teton and Sweetwater Counties. Uinta County showed an employment loss when compared with the previous year. The Southwest Region has a diverse economy, with both tourism and energy playing a major role.

The Southeast Region (Table 89) posted a sizable 1,474 job (2.8%) gain. Government comprises one-third of the employment in the Southeast Region, where federal government lost jobs and state and local governments showed moderate gains; overall, government came out with a modest gain. All divisions, with the exception of mining, transportation, and finance, in the Southeast Region showed modest to good employment gains. Most of the Southeast Regions growth occurred in Albany (Table 90) and Laramie (Table 92) Counties.

The Northwest Region (Table 71) posted a 1,301 job (4.1%) gain. Tourism, construction, manufacturing and government play a big part in the Northwest region. All divisions, with the exception of mining and state government, in the Southwest Region showed modest to good employment gains. Most of this growth (80.0%) in the Northwest Region occurred in Park (Table 75) and Fremont (Table 73) Counties.

As a new feature, tables comparing 1989-94 employment, payroll, and average annual wages for each industrial division by county have been included in Section VII. Wyoming's employment and earnings are not distributed evenly either geographically or industrially.

As shown in Table 1, Teton County (Southwest Region) recorded the highest 1993-94 annual monthly employment gain of 809 jobs (6.6%). Teton County (Table 87) is very dependent upon tourism and is highly influenced by bonuses and/or executive pay. Bonuses were paid in excess of $10 million in 1994.

In the Southeast Region, Albany County placed second among the counties for 1993-94 employment growth of 755 jobs (6.2%). Most of Albany's growth (Table 90) was in the service-producing sector, mainly in the services and retail trade divisions. Retail trade, state government, services, and local government are the largest industrial divisions in Albany County.

Campbell County (Northeast Region) posted a 1993-94 annual average employment change of 752 jobs (5.1%). Mining, local government, retail trade, and services are the largest industrial divisions in Campbell County (Table 78). Campbell County definitely has an energy base and is predominantly goods-producing.

Sweetwater County (Southwest Region) placed fourth among the counties for 1993-94 employment growth of 646 jobs (3.4%) (Table 86). Mining still remains the largest employment division; Sweetwater County has an energy base.

In the Northwest Region, Park County posted a 1993-94 annual average employment change of 579 jobs (5.5%). Predominantly a service-producing county and dependent upon tourism, the divisions showed modest employment gains within the divisions except for a mining loss in Park County (Table 75).

Two counties posted employment losses during the 1993-94 time period. Crook County (Table 7 - Northwest Region) and Uinta county (Table 88 - Southwest Region) suffered 1993-94 employment losses of 55 jobs (-2.9%) and 43 jobs (-0.5%), respectively.

Since 1987, the payroll has steadily increased as shown in the graph following these highlights. Total payroll has ranged from a low $787,333,917 in first quarter 1987 to an all time high of $1,219,778,627 in the fourth quarter 1994. It was in fourth quarter 1981, with $1,007,741,108, that Wyoming's total payroll initially went over the billion dollar mark.

When the effect of inflation is removed ("deflated," via CPI-U), total payroll increased in "real" dollar terms by $70.7 million (2.3%) over the 1993-94 time period. In other words, there were additional "real" dollars in consumers' pockets, or more pockets with less dollars per pocket. (The rate of inflation was 3.0 and 2.6% in 1993 and 1994.)

Geographically nonclassified jobs increased in 1993-94 by 848 workers (25.4%). Employment data is assigned a nonclassified geographic code if the employer refuses to, or cannot identify the location of an establishment; foreign locations; out-of-state locations; locations in more than one county; unknown locations; no primary county; or statewide. When employers complete the Multiple Worksite Report and/or physical location on the Industry Verification statement (please refer to Technical Appendix for further explanation), the geographic assignment of employment is more complete and valid.

Wyoming's employment and earnings growth is not distributed evenly geographically or industrially. Total payroll and employment in Wyoming does not appear to be affected by national economic activity. National economic indicators for 1994 have not yet been published but are due in late fall.

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