"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 remained unchanged from August to September at 2.9%. Wyoming’s unemployment rate was much lower than its year-ago level of 3.8% and lower than the current U.S. rate of 3.8%. Seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents fell slightly (-403 individuals, or -0.1%) from August to September. However, compared to a year ago, employment was up by 7,745 people (2.7%).
From August to September, most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and fell modestly. The largest decreases occurred in Fremont (down from 3.2% to 2.7%), Big Horn (down from 3.2% to 2.7%), Platte (down from 2.9% to 2.5%), and Crook (down from 2.3% to 1.9%) counties.
In September 2023, unemployment rates were lower than their year-ago levels in every county of the state. Large decreases were seen in Carbon (down from 3.5% to 2.4%), Washakie (down from 3.6% to 2.6%), and Niobrara (down from 2.9% to 2.0%) counties.
The highest unemployment rates in September 2023 were found in Sublette and Sweetwater counties, each at 2.9%. The lowest unemployment rates were reported in Teton County at 1.5% and Weston and Crook counties, each at 1.9%.
Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 290,800 in September 2022 to 297,800 in September 2023, an increase of 7,000 jobs (2.4%).
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.
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