Wyoming Labor Force Trends

Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Research & Planning
Vol. 50 No. 5 — ©May 2013

0113_cover_sm

Also inside May Trends:


Demographics of UI Claimants: More Males Continue to Receive Benefits than Females

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate

As the economic downturn in Wyoming progressed from 2008Q4 to 2009Q4, younger workers were more likely to be affected by job loss. However, when the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA, 2009) was enacted in 2009, the average age of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefit recipients began to increase. At the beginning of the recession, males experienced more significant job losses than females did. Males also showed more seasonality in job losses than females. All major spikes in unemployment occurred after the summer months (third quarter) when certain industries were beginning to lay off employees. From 2008 to 2012, 91.4% of individuals receiving a UI benefit and working in the construction industry were males. In mining, 7,529 males received UI benefits, compared to 671 females. More than three-fourths of those receiving a UI benefit in Campbell County were males, compared to 54.1% in Niobrara County. Natrona and Laramie counties, Wyoming's two largest counties, were nearly even in the number of male UI recipients (70.8% and 70.4%, respectively).  

Continue Reading →

State Unemployment Rate at 4.9% for Fourth Month in a Row

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate

The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services has reported that the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9% in March. It has remained at that level since December 2012. Wyoming's unemployment rate was significantly lower than the U.S. rate of 7.6%. Seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents was virtually unchanged from February to March (up 30 individuals, or 0.0%).

Continue Reading

Table of Contents