The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported today that total unemployment insurance (UI) covered payroll increased by $78.2 million (2.5%) in fourth quarter 2011. Employment rose by 5,367 jobs (2.0%) and average weekly wage increased by $5 (0.6%). Job growth in the fourth quarter was higher than its five-year average (2.0% compared to 0.6%). However, growth in total payroll and average weekly wage were both lower than their five-year averages. The mining sector (including oil & gas) added the largest number of new jobs, and much of the growth in other sectors appeared related to oil & gas. In terms of dollars, UI covered payroll represents approximately 91% of all wage and salary disbursements and 43% of personal income in the state (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2011). Analysts have noted that “minerals related employment is one of the key predictors of sales and use tax revenue” in Wyoming (CREG 2011 http://eadiv.state.wy.us/creg/GreenCREG_Oct11.pdf).
Despite the recent growth, overall employment remained approximately 9,600 jobs (3.3%) below its fourth quarter 2008 level. In other words, the state has yet to recoup the job losses of 2009 and 2010.
Employment increased in 14 counties and decreased in 9 counties (see Table). Total payroll rose in 15 counties and fell in 8 counties.
Visit our website at http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/11Q4_QCEW/toc.htm for a complete set of tables.
Natrona County gained 1,774 jobs (4.6%) and its total payroll increased by $32.6 million (7.0%). Strong growth occurred in mining (including oil & gas), accommodation & food services, wholesale trade, other services, and manufacturing.
Laramie County added 828 jobs (1.9%) and its total payroll grew by $10.1 million (2.3%). Job gains occurred in construction, mining (including oil & gas), retail trade, and accommodation & food services. Job losses were seen in local government, federal government, and administrative & waste services.
Sweetwater County gained 723 jobs (3.0%) and its total payroll grew by $12.6 million (3.8%). Strong growth was seen in mining (including oil & gas), manufacturing, and accommodation & food services. Employment fell in construction.
Sublette County added 546 jobs (9.7%) and its total payroll rose by $8.7 million (10.3%). Mining gained more than 200 jobs, while construction gained approximately 100. Growth was also seen in transportation & warehousing and retail trade.
Park County employment increased by 405 jobs (3.2%) and its total payroll grew by $3.7 million (3.0%). Job gains were seen in accommodation & food services, construction, and mining (including oil & gas).
Converse County gained 343 jobs (6.3%) and its total payroll increased by $4.3 million (7.1%). The largest job growth was seen in mining, accommodation & food services, and manufacturing. Smaller gains occurred in professional & technical services, transportation & warehousing, retail trade, and wholesale trade.
Employment in Teton County grew by 307 jobs (2.0%), but its total payroll fell by $1.6 million (-0.9%). Notable job gains occurred in construction; arts, entertainment, & recreation; and local government (including public schools & hospitals). Large decreases in total payroll were seen in wholesale trade and management of companies & enterprises. These payroll declines were likely the result of bonuses paid in fourth quarter 2010, but not repeated in fourth quarter 2011.
According to preliminary data, job growth accelerated in first quarter. Total payroll rose by $215.8 million (7.8%) and employment increased by 6,470 jobs (2.5%). The largest job gains occurred in mining (including oil & gas, approximately 2,100 jobs), accommodation & food services (more than 800 jobs), construction (more than 600 jobs), local government (including public schools, colleges, & hospitals; 600 jobs), and administrative & waste services (approximately 550 jobs). Job losses were seen in federal government (approximately 200 jobs) and health care & social assistance (more than 100 jobs).
Detailed covered employment and wages data for 1st Quarter 2012 are scheduled to be released on November 2, 2012.
Wyoming Average Monthly Employment, Total Payroll, and Average Weekly Wage for Fourth Quarter by County, 2010 and 2011a
Average Monthly Employment Total Payroll Average Weekly Wage
County Fourth Quarter Change Fourth Quarter Change Fourth Quarter Change
2010 2011 n % 2010 2011 $ % 2010 2011 $ %
Total 272,511 277,878 5,367 2.0 $3,087,069,661 $3,165,285,555 $78,215,894 2.5 $871 $876 $5 0.6
Albany 15,372 15,566 194 1.3 $140,859,925 $152,046,844 $11,186,919 7.9 $705 $751 $46 6.5
Big Horn 4,204 4,341 137 3.3 $39,992,638 $41,705,225 $1,712,587 4.3 $732 $739 $7 1.0
Campbell 28,466 28,075 -391 -1.4 $421,910,661 $398,130,097 -$23,780,564 -5.6 $1,140 $1,091 -$49 -4.3
Carbon 6,685 6,561 -124 -1.9 $69,596,695 $74,017,693 $4,420,998 6.4 $801 $868 $67 8.4
Converse 5,411 5,754 343 6.3 $60,724,492 $65,054,161 $4,329,669 7.1 $863 $870 $7 0.8
Crook 2,336 2,304 -32 -1.4 $21,675,014 $20,593,314 -$1,081,700 -5.0 $714 $688 -$26 -3.6
Fremont 16,797 16,917 120 0.7 $163,119,468 $166,608,031 $3,488,563 2.1 $747 $758 $11 1.5
Goshen 4,661 4,762 101 2.2 $37,942,067 $39,778,932 $1,836,865 4.8 $626 $643 $17 2.7
Hot Springs 2,108 2,133 25 1.2 $17,943,331 $18,656,753 $713,422 4.0 $655 $673 $18 2.7
Johnson 3,342 3,255 -87 -2.6 $28,181,944 $27,859,598 -$322,346 -1.1 $649 $658 $9 1.4
Laramie 42,746 43,574 828 1.9 $438,684,885 $448,762,866 $10,077,981 2.3 $789 $792 $3 0.4
Lincoln 6,094 6,089 -5 -0.1 $65,594,415 $66,923,199 $1,328,784 2.0 $828 $845 $17 2.1
Natrona 38,487 40,261 1,774 4.6 $466,193,631 $498,822,550 $32,628,919 7.0 $932 $953 $21 2.3
Niobrara 870 919 49 5.6 $6,883,462 $7,295,492 $412,030 6.0 $609 $611 $2 0.3
Park 12,803 13,208 405 3.2 $124,315,207 $128,043,055 $3,727,848 3.0 $747 $746 -$1 -0.1
Platte 3,459 3,421 -38 -1.1 $33,438,016 $32,534,598 -$903,418 -2.7 $744 $732 -$12 -1.6
Sheridan 12,953 12,947 -6 0.0 $131,082,724 $130,307,290 -$775,434 -0.6 $778 $774 -$4 -0.5
Sublette 5,628 6,174 546 9.7 $83,793,346 $92,446,990 $8,653,644 10.3 $1,145 $1,152 $7 0.6
Sweetwater 24,260 24,983 723 3.0 $334,190,642 $346,824,662 $12,634,020 3.8 $1,060 $1,068 $8 0.8
Teton 15,523 15,830 307 2.0 $171,578,719 $169,975,750 -$1,602,969 -0.9 $850 $826 -$24 -2.8
Uinta 9,788 9,223 -565 -5.8 $116,441,618 $95,662,133 -$20,779,485 -17.8 $915 $798 -$117 -12.8
Washakie 4,011 3,996 -15 -0.4 $37,809,990 $38,023,768 $213,778 0.6 $725 $732 $7 1.0
Weston 2,324 2,329 5 0.2 $21,034,340 $20,161,745 -$872,595 -4.1 $696 $666 -$30 -4.3
Nonclassified 4,183 5,256 1,072 25.6 $54,082,431 $85,050,809 $30,968,378 57.3 $994 $1,245 $250 25.2
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: April 2012
| Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Research & Planning August 10, 2012 Contacts: David Bullard, Senior Economist, 307-473-3810 Carola Cowan, BLS Programs Supervisor, 307-473-3804 |