From first quarter 2007 to first quarter 2008, total Unemployment Insurance (UI) covered payroll increased by $263.9 million or 10.4%. This increase is just slightly lower than the 5-year average. UI covered payroll represents approximately 92% of all wage and salary disbursements and 45% of personal income in the state (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2007). Employment grew by 9,176 jobs or 3.4% in first quarter and average weekly wage rose by $49 or 6.7%. The largest growth in payroll and jobs was found in Wyoming’s construction sector. Total payroll is an important economic indicator because it is often associated with retail sales, consumption, and sales tax revenue. When payroll dollars are spent locally, they result in more job creation. The employment and payroll data in this report are based on place of work.
Average weekly wage grew very rapidly in three counties (Carbon, Lincoln, and Sheridan). In Carbon County average weekly wage rose by $158 or 23.5%, but most of this increase was the result of a huge increase in construction jobs and payroll (about 550 jobs and $14.8 million in payroll). Lincoln County had a similar situation. Its average wage increased by $179 or 24.5%, again because of enormous growth in construction (over 300 jobs and $15.8 million in wages). In Sheridan County the average wage rose by $63 or 9.9%, mostly because of an increase in construction jobs and wages (over 100 jobs and $3.3 million in payroll). Given that many of the workers on construction projects are probably non-residents and that the retail trade and service sectors are not expanding noticeably in these smaller counties, it appears that workers may be spending their earnings elsewhere.
Campbell County added 1,404 jobs or 5.3% and its total payroll increased by $40.4 million or 12.4%. The largest job gains were in mining (including oil & gas) and construction. Employment also increased substantially in local government, health care & social assistance, retail trade, and other services.
Laramie County’s total payroll increased by $28.5 million or 7.9% and employment rose by 1,163 jobs or 2.8%. Average weekly wage increased by $33 or 4.9%. The largest job gains occurred in transportation & warehousing, local government (including public schools, colleges, & hospitals), professional & technical services, and construction. Employment fell slightly in information, management of companies & enterprises, arts, entertainment & recreation, and other services.
In Sweetwater County total payroll increased by $28.7 million or 10.2% and employment increased by 941 jobs or 3.9%. Construction added the most jobs, followed by mining, local government, and transportation & warehousing. Job losses were seen in administrative & waste services and other services.
Natrona County added 786 jobs or 2.1% and its total payroll grew by $29.9 million or 7.9%. The largest job gains were in construction, health care & social assistance, other services, and retail trade. Mining employment fell, but its total payroll increased.
Carbon County added 726 jobs or 10.2% and its total payroll grew by $22.4 million or 36.2% in first quarter. The construction sector accounted for about 550 new jobs and $14.8 million in total payroll, which helped increase the average weekly wage by $158 or 23.5%.
In first quarter employment increased by 687 jobs or 4.0% in Teton County. Total payroll grew by $18.8 million or 12.1% and average weekly wage increased by $54 or 7.8%. The largest job gains were seen in accommodation & food services. Employment also grew in construction; retail trade; professional & technical services; and arts, entertainment, & recreation. Modest job losses occurred in information, management of companies & enterprises, and other services.
In summary, total payroll and employment continued to grow at a solid pace in first quarter. Wyoming’s construction sector made the largest contribution to new jobs and the increase in total payroll.
For more details on first quarter employment and wages go to http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/1008/a1.htm
Visit our website at http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/08Q1_QCEW/toc.htm for a complete set of tables.
The Wyoming Covered Employment and Wages news release with 2nd Quarter 2008 data is scheduled for February 6, 2009.
Wyoming Average Monthly Employment, Total Payroll, and Average Weekly Wage for First Quarter by County, 2007 and 2008a
Average Monthly Employment Total Payroll Average Weekly Wage
County First Quarter Change First Quarter Change First Quarter Change
2007 2008 # % 2007 2008 $ % 2007 2008 $ %
Total 266,578 275,754 9,176 3.4 $2,528,908,901 $2,792,831,789 $263,922,888 10.4 $730 $779 $49 6.7
Albany 15,222 15,369 147 1.0 $115,070,553 $123,814,682 $8,744,129 7.6 $581 $620 $39 6.7
Big Horn 3,930 4,062 132 3.4 $30,174,556 $32,407,461 $2,232,905 7.4 $591 $614 $23 3.9
Campbell 26,623 28,027 1,404 5.3 $325,343,074 $365,696,399 $40,353,325 12.4 $940 $1,004 $64 6.8
Carbon 7,100 7,826 726 10.2 $61,891,720 $84,323,900 $22,432,180 36.2 $671 $829 $158 23.5
Converse 4,714 5,251 537 11.4 $41,867,729 $50,730,562 $8,862,833 21.2 $683 $743 $60 8.8
Crook 2,233 2,204 -29 -1.3 $17,014,068 $17,318,247 $304,179 1.8 $586 $604 $18 3.1
Fremont 15,495 15,985 490 3.2 $121,603,946 $132,399,587 $10,795,641 8.9 $604 $637 $33 5.5
Goshen 4,236 4,251 15 0.4 $27,326,253 $28,711,329 $1,385,076 5.1 $496 $520 $24 4.8
Hot Springs 1,947 2,005 58 3.0 $12,793,430 $14,152,949 $1,359,519 10.6 $505 $543 $38 7.5
Johnson 3,232 3,305 73 2.3 $24,544,720 $26,392,280 $1,847,560 7.5 $584 $614 $30 5.1
Laramie 41,593 42,756 1,163 2.8 $362,761,840 $391,277,217 $28,515,377 7.9 $671 $704 $33 4.9
Lincoln 6,463 6,907 444 6.9 $61,408,520 $81,700,278 $20,291,758 33.0 $731 $910 $179 24.5
Natrona 38,275 39,061 786 2.1 $377,985,507 $407,901,750 $29,916,243 7.9 $760 $803 $43 5.7
Niobrara 816 809 -7 -0.9 $5,259,877 $5,441,921 $182,044 3.5 $496 $517 $21 4.2
Park 11,873 12,313 440 3.7 $99,165,640 $104,846,379 $5,680,739 5.7 $642 $655 $13 2.0
Platte 3,313 3,312 -1 0.0 $25,521,292 $25,523,598 $2,306 0.0 $593 $593 $0 0.0
Sheridan 12,831 13,126 295 2.3 $106,136,401 $119,218,831 $13,082,430 12.3 $636 $699 $63 9.9
Sublette 4,868 5,145 277 5.7 $63,577,198 $71,496,916 $7,919,718 12.5 $1,005 $1,069 $64 6.4
Sweetwater 24,117 25,058 941 3.9 $282,275,761 $310,927,088 $28,651,327 10.2 $900 $954 $54 6.0
Teton 17,306 17,993 687 4.0 $155,148,270 $173,975,808 $18,827,538 12.1 $690 $744 $54 7.8
Uinta 9,391 9,612 221 2.4 $88,144,080 $95,131,163 $6,987,083 7.9 $722 $761 $39 5.4
Washakie 3,775 3,833 58 1.5 $30,077,995 $31,853,783 $1,775,788 5.9 $613 $639 $26 4.2
Weston 2,247 2,297 50 2.2 $18,023,157 $19,717,175 $1,694,018 9.4 $617 $660 $43 7.0
Nonclassified b 4,980 5,247 267 5.4 $75,793,314 $77,872,486 $2,079,172 2.7 $1,171 $1,142 -$29 -2.5
a preliminary
b The employer may be located statewide or in more than one county.
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, developed through a cooperative program between
Research & Planning and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Extract Date: July 2008
| Wyoming Department of Employment Research & Planning October 31, 2008 Contact: Carola Cowan, BLS Programs Supervisor (307) 473-3804 |