"Labor Market Information (LMI) is an applied science; it is the systematic collection and analysis of data which describes and predicts the relationship between labor demand and supply." The States' Labor Market Information Review, ICESA, 1995, p. 7.
by: David Bullard, Senior Economist
The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted1 unemployment rate fell slightly from 3.6% in January to 3.5% in February. Wyoming’s unemployment rate is considerably higher than its February 2024 level of 2.8%, but lower than the current U.S. rate of 4.1%.
From January to February, most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and decreased. Unemployment rates often fall in February as seasonal job gains occur. The largest unemployment rate decreases occurred in Niobrara (down from 6.1% to 4.8%), Sweetwater (down from 4.9% to 3.9%), and Platte (down from 5.5% to 4.5%) counties. Weston County’s unemployment held steady at 3.9%.
From February 2024 to February 2025, unemployment rates rose in 14 counties, remained unchanged in three counties, and fell in six counties. The largest increases were found in Niobrara (up from 3.6% to 4.8%), Crook (up from 2.9% to 3.7%), and Sublette (up from 3.5% to 4.3%) counties. Unemployment rates fell in Washakie (down from 4.2% to 3.5%), Johnson (down from 3.7% to 3.4%), and Hot Springs (down from 3.7% to 3.4%) counties.
Big Horn County, at 5.0%, had the highest unemployment rate in February. It was followed by Niobrara County at 4.8%, and Park County at 4.7%. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Teton County at 2.2% and Albany County at 2.8%.
Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates show that total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 286,300 in February 2024 to 291,100 in February 2025, an increase of 4,800 jobs (1.7%).
R&P's most recent monthly news release is available at https://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/news.htm.
1Seasonal adjustment is a statistical procedure to remove the impact of normal regularly recurring events (such as weather, major holidays, and the opening and closing of schools) from economic time series to better understand changes in economic conditions from month to month.
The following are some of the specific locations on our website that may have useful information for you as you consider your employment options: