The Research & Planning Section of the Wyoming Department of Employment reported today that for the first time in 21 years, the number of jobs in Wyoming and total payroll decreased from their year-ago levels. From first quarter 2008 to first quarter 2009, total unemployment insurance (UI) covered payroll decreased by $36.0 million (-1.3%). 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). On an over-the-year basis, employment fell by 3,059 jobs (-1.1%) and average weekly wage decreased by $1 (-0.1%). Job losses were reported in more than half of Wyoming counties. Total payroll is an important economic indicator because it is often associated with consumer spending, retail sales, and sales tax revenue.
The Table shows that employment increased in nine counties and decreased in 14. Net job losses were much more widespread than in fourth quarter 2008, when employment decreased in four counties.
Campbell County added 1,017 jobs, or 3.6% in first quarter 2009. Its total payroll increased by $10.9 million, or 3.0%. Job gains were seen in mining (more than 300 jobs), wholesale trade (approximately 200 jobs), local government (including public schools; more than 150 jobs), construction (approximately 100 jobs), and accommodation & food services (approximately 100 jobs). Employment decreased slightly in manufacturing and other services.
Sublette County’s total payroll increased by $12.6 million, or 17.5% and employment grew by 534 jobs, or 10.4%. Mining (including oil & gas) added more than 350 jobs. Growth was also seen in wholesale trade, retail trade, transportation & warehousing, professional & technical services, and local government. Employment decreased by approximately 100 jobs in construction.
In first quarter Fremont County added 163 jobs, or 1.0% and its total payroll increased by $6.0 million, or 4.5%. Job gains in local government, health care & social assistance, and state government were partially offset by job losses in construction, agriculture, and accommodation & food services.
In Teton County total payroll fell by $11.8 million, or 6.8% and employment decreased by 1,111 jobs, or 6.2%. Job losses occurred in many sectors including accommodation & food services (more than 500 jobs), retail trade (more than 100 jobs), construction (more than 100 jobs), and arts, entertainment & recreation (approximately 100 jobs).
Carbon County lost 1,083 jobs, or 13.9% in first quarter. Its total payroll decreased by $20.8 million, or 24.7%. Construction posted the largest job losses (nearly 1,000 jobs), followed by mining (including oil & gas; approximately 100 jobs). It appears that part of the decrease in construction employment was related to the completion of a large project.
In Lincoln County total payroll decreased by $25.2 million, or 30.9% and employment fell by 708 jobs, or 10.3%. Job gains in local government (approximately 100 jobs) were overshadowed by large job losses in construction (nearly 800 jobs). Some of the decrease in construction may have been related to the completion of a large project.
Employment in Laramie County fell by 453 jobs, or 1.1%, but total payroll increased by $2.3 million, or 0.6%. The largest job gains occurred in local government (including public schools, colleges, & hospitals; 288 jobs, or 4.3%). Employment also increased in health care & social assistance and state government. Sizeable job losses were seen in construction, manufacturing, retail trade, transportation & warehousing, professional & technical services, administrative & waste services, and accommodation & food services.
For more details on first quarter employment and wages go to http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/1009/a1.htm
Visit our website at http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/09Q1_QCEW/toc.htm for a complete set of tables.
The Wyoming Covered Employment and Wages news release with 2nd Quarter 2009 data is scheduled for February 5, 2010.
Wyoming Average Monthly Employment, Total Payroll, and Average Weekly Wage for First Quarter by County, 2008 and 2009a
Average Monthly Employment Total Payroll Average Weekly Wage
County First Quarter Change First Quarter Change First Quarter Change
2008 2009 n % 2008 2009 $ % 2008 2009 $ %
Total 276,195 273,136 -3,059 -1.1 $2,798,237,273 $2,762,234,714 -$36,002,559 -1.3 $779 $778 -$1 -0.1
Albany 15,362 15,496 134 0.9 $123,978,316 $128,556,296 $4,577,980 3.7 $621 $638 $17 2.7
Big Horn 4,049 3,940 -109 -2.7 $32,478,854 $31,376,577 -$1,102,277 -3.4 $617 $613 -$4 -0.6
Campbell 28,031 29,048 1,017 3.6 $365,771,219 $376,677,533 $10,906,314 3.0 $1,004 $997 -$7 -0.7
Carbon 7,802 6,719 -1,083 -13.9 $84,234,530 $63,447,600 -$20,786,930 -24.7 $831 $726 -$105 -12.6
Converse 5,264 5,156 -108 -2.1 $50,832,947 $52,117,174 $1,284,227 2.5 $743 $778 $35 4.7
Crook 2,213 2,221 8 0.4 $17,354,855 $17,932,123 $577,268 3.3 $603 $621 $18 3.0
Fremont 16,050 16,213 163 1.0 $132,623,713 $138,593,293 $5,969,580 4.5 $636 $658 $22 3.5
Goshen 4,283 4,295 12 0.3 $29,222,307 $29,286,638 $64,331 0.2 $525 $525 $0 0.0
Hot Springs 2,011 2,025 14 0.7 $14,216,869 $15,002,077 $785,208 5.5 $544 $570 $26 4.8
Johnson 3,308 3,299 -9 -0.3 $26,365,804 $26,289,144 -$76,660 -0.3 $613 $613 $0 0.0
Laramie 43,093 42,640 -453 -1.1 $393,601,019 $395,889,248 $2,288,229 0.6 $703 $714 $11 1.6
Lincoln 6,899 6,191 -708 -10.3 $81,498,333 $56,342,160 -$25,156,173 -30.9 $909 $700 -$209 -23.0
Natrona 39,004 38,926 -78 -0.2 $408,206,378 $409,422,317 $1,215,939 0.3 $805 $809 $4 0.5
Niobrara 814 825 11 1.4 $5,436,445 $5,823,366 $386,921 7.1 $514 $543 $29 5.6
Park 12,299 12,189 -110 -0.9 $104,857,435 $107,592,977 $2,735,542 2.6 $656 $679 $23 3.5
Platte 3,307 3,292 -15 -0.5 $25,515,307 $26,666,145 $1,150,838 4.5 $594 $623 $29 4.9
Sheridan 13,164 13,124 -40 -0.3 $119,426,353 $117,711,902 -$1,714,451 -1.4 $698 $690 -$8 -1.1
Sublette 5,157 5,691 534 10.4 $71,913,383 $84,531,762 $12,618,379 17.5 $1,073 $1,143 $70 6.5
Sweetwater 25,076 24,832 -244 -1.0 $311,261,821 $307,785,304 -$3,476,517 -1.1 $955 $953 -$2 -0.2
Teton 17,967 16,856 -1,111 -6.2 $174,087,602 $162,322,806 -$11,764,796 -6.8 $745 $741 -$4 -0.5
Uinta 9,625 9,624 -1 0.0 $95,047,898 $99,295,650 $4,247,752 4.5 $760 $794 $34 4.5
Washakie 3,825 3,862 37 1.0 $31,829,518 $32,218,488 $388,970 1.2 $640 $642 $2 0.3
Weston 2,302 2,262 -40 -1.7 $19,699,808 $17,874,426 -$1,825,382 -9.3 $658 $608 -$50 -7.6
Nonclassified 5,286 4,411 -875 -16.6 $78,776,559 $59,479,708 -$19,296,851 -24.5 $1,146 $1,037 -$109 -9.5
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 2009
| Wyoming Department of Employment Research & Planning October 30, 2009 Contact: David Bullard, Senior Economist (307) 473-3810 |