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Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Research & Planning
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"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.

The Federal Government reserves a paid-up, nonexclusive and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use for federal purposes: i) the copyright in all products developed under the grant, including a subgrant or contract under the grant or subgrant; and ii) any rights of copyright to which the recipient, subrecipient or a contractor purchases ownership under an award (including but not limited to curricula, training models, technical assistance products, and any related materials). Such uses include, but are not limited to, the right to modify and distribute such products worldwide by any means, electronically or otherwise. Federal funds may not be used to pay any royalty or license fee for use of a copyrighted work, or the cost of acquiring by purchase a copyright in a work, where the Department has a license or rights of free use in such work, although they may be used to pay costs for obtaining a copy which is limited to the developer/seller costs of copying and shipping. If revenues are generated through selling products developed with grant funds, including intellectual property, these revenues are program income. Program income must be used in accordance with the provisions of this grant award and 2 CFR 200.307.

What's New

Welcome to the Wyoming Labor Market Information website of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services' Research & Planning section.

Research & Planning (R&P) is an exclusively statistical entity within the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services that collects, analyzes, and publishes timely and accurate labor market information (LMI) meeting established statistical standards.


Attention Wyoming Labor Force Trends Subscribers

Research & Planning has moved to an all-electronic format for Wyoming Labor Force Trends. If you would like to receive Trends electronically but are not currently doing so, please contact R&P Research Supervisor Michael Moore at michael.moore@wyo.gov or (307) 473-3814.


Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

Wyoming’s nonfatal occupational injury and illness incidence rate for all industries in 2023 was 2.7, according to the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII). Incidence rates represent the number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers.

This publication is intended to introduce the reader to the data available for Wyoming from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

 

 

Published November 2024.

Wyoming Labor Force Trends

November 2024 (HTML | PDF)

  • Identifying In-Demand Occupations in Wyoming
  • Labor Market Churn in the U.S. Mining & Logging Sector
  • Wyoming Unemployment Rises to 3.1% in September 2024
  • Current Employment Statistics (CES) Estimates and Research & Planning’s Internal Estimates, September 2024
  • Current Employment Statistics Graphs
  • State Unemployment Rates (Seasonally Adjusted)
  • Wyoming Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment
  • State Unemployment Rates (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
  • Economic Indicators
  • County Unemployment Rates
  • Wyoming Normalized Unemployment Insurance Statistics: Initial Claims
  • Wyoming Normalized Unemployment Insurance Statistics: Continued Claims

Monthly News Release

Wyoming Unemployment Rises to 3.2% in October 2024

The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged upward from 3.1% in September to 3.2% in October. Despite its recent increases, Wyoming’s unemployment rate remains much lower than the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1%.

Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates show that total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 295,100 in October 2023 to 298,200 in October 2024, an increase of 3,100 jobs (1.1%).

Current News Release | News Release Archive

Local Area Unemployment Statistics: Monthly and annual civilian labor force estimates for the state of Wyoming, its 23 Counties, and selected Metropolitan Statistical Areas and cities through October 2024.

Published October 23, 2024.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Wyoming Unemployment Insurance Claims Report, October 2024

There were 1,828 initial claims in October 2024, up 113 (6.6%) from October 2023. There were 807 more claims over the month, which is a common seasonal pattern as temporary summer jobs end. The industries with the largest numbers of initial claims included leisure & hospitality (640) and construction (319).

The total number of continued weeks claimed increased from 6,179 in October 2023 to 6,903 in October 2024 (724, or 11.7%). The total number of unique claimants decreased from 2,331 to 2,249 (-82, or -3.5%) over the year.

The October 2024 Unemployment Insurance claims report also provides detailed information on initial and continued claims at the industry and county levels.

October 2024 UI Claims Report

Weekly UI Claims Data

Annual UI Claims Data

Updated December 12, 2024.

Turnover

Wyoming Turnover Data, 1993Q1 to 2024Q1

Selected quarterly turnover tables and figures for Wyoming.

Table of Contents

Published November 12, 2024.

Growing and Declining Industries

Growing and Declining Industries in Wyoming, 2024Q2

In second quarter 2024 (2024Q2), Wyoming had six growing industries and eight declining industries. It is worth noting that this marked the first time since 2021Q1 during the pandemic that Wyoming had more declining industries than growing.

The number of growing industries increased to six from four last quarter. Wyoming's six growing industries in 2024Q2 accounted for 7.4% of all industries and 6.7% of the state's total employment.

There were eight declining industries in 2024Q2, compared to four last quarter. Declining industries made up 9.9% of all industries and 1.9% of total employment.

2024Q2 Report

Growing and declining industries home

Published November 12, 2024.

QCEW

Wyoming Employment and Payroll: Modest Job Growth in Second Quarter 2024

From second quarter 2023 to second quarter 2024, total employment in Wyoming rose by 2,288 jobs (0.8%) and total payroll increased by $212.0 million (5.3%). Employment rose in 12 counties and fell in 11 counties. Total payroll increased in 20 counties and decreased in three counties.

Quarterly News Release

2024Q2 Employment and Wage Tables

Summary Statistics by Industry, 2001Q1-2024Q2

New Summary Statistics by County, 2001Q1-2024Q2

Published November 8, 2024.

Presentations

New Labor Market Information Presentations

Research & Planning provides labor market information presentations to government entities, community groups, educators, training providers, and others free of charge. If you would like to discuss a presentation, please contact R&P Research Supervisor Michael Moore at michael.moore@wyo.gov or (307) 473-3814.

Recently added presentations include the following:

Getting to Know Wyoming's Workforce. Presented at the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Annual Meeting on October 30, 2024, by Michael Moore, R&P Research Supervisor.

An Update on Wyoming’s Labor Market – Fall 2024. Presented to the Wyoming Workforce Development Council on September 12, 2024, by Michael Moore, R&P Research Supervisor.

All presentations are available by clicking here.

Updated November 4, 2024.

OEWS

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) in Wyoming

NEW: Statewide, Regional, County, and MSA Data (estimates for Wyoming wages for May 2022 data updated to the March 2024 ECI Employment Cost Index).

Wyoming Wage Survey

Published July 30, 2024.

Projections

Wyoming Long-Term Industry and Occupational Projections, 2022-2032

Wyoming is projected to add approximately 35,000 new jobs over the next 10 years, according to the newest long-term industry and occupational employment projections.

2022-2032 Long-Term Industry and Occupational Projections home (HTML)

Full publication (PDF)

Published July 10, 2024.

NEW! Annual Report

2024 Wyoming Workforce Annual Report

Welcome to the 2024 edition of the Wyoming Workforce Annual Report, produced by the Research & Planning (R&P) section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services in partnership with the Wyoming Workforce Development Council. This report provides an overview of Wyoming’s economy and workforce. Chapters in this report include:

  1. Continued Growth in Wyoming's Labor Market in 2023
  2. Wyoming Adds More Than 6,300 New Jobs in 2023
  3. Population Growth Strongest in Wyoming's Northern Counties
  4. Labor Force, Employment Reach 7-Year High in 2023
  5. Wyoming UI Claims, Benefits Paid Remain Low in 2023
  6. Wyoming Sees Continued Decline in Resident Workers in 2023
  7. Wyoming Again Trails U.S. in Post-Secondary Degrees in 2022
  8. New Short-Term Projections Show Job Growth for Wyoming
  9. Wyoming New Business Formation in 2021 and 2022
  10. Percentage of Jobs Offered Health Care Insurance Increases
  11. Fewer Teleworkers in Wyoming Compared to Surrounding States
  12. Employment and Wages by Employer Size Class for Private Industries in Wyoming in 2022
  13. Wyoming Occupational Fatalities Increase to 34 in 2022
  14. Highlights of the 2022 SOII Survey for Wyoming
  15. Just the Facts

Published June 25, 2024.

QCEW

Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages for Wyoming, 2023 Annual Averages


Wyoming's average monthly employment in 2023 was 278,582, an over-the-year increase of 6,362 jobs, or 2.3%. Wyoming had $16.5 billion in total wages, a record high and an over-the-year increase of $1.1 billion, or 7.3%. The state's average annual wage was $59,064, up $2,745 (4.9%) compared to 2022.

Table of Contents


Published June 18, 2024.

Demographics of Wyoming's Workforce

Wage Records in Wyoming

Demographics and Earnings of Persons Working in Wyoming by County, Industry, Age, & Gender, 2000-2023


Table of Contents


Published June 10, 2024.

Projections

Wyoming Short-Term Industry and Occupational Projections, 2023-2025

Wyoming is projected to add more than 8,000 jobs over the next two years, according to new short-term industry and occupational projections.

2023-2025 Short-Term Industry and Occupational Projections home (HTML)

Full publication (PDF)

Published March 13, 2024.

CFOI

Wyoming Occupational Fatalities Increase to 34 in 2022

News Release | Tables and Figures | CFOI Main Page

The number of occupational fatalities in Wyoming rose from 27 in 2021 to 34 in 2022 (an increase of seven deaths, or 25.9%). Variations in fatalities from year to year are, to some extent, the result of the random nature of work-related accidents. Furthermore, there is not always a direct relationship between workplace fatalities and workplace safety.

Across all industries, more than half of 2022 workplace deaths (55.9%) were the result of transportation incidents. Transportation incidents include highway crashes, pedestrian vehicular incidents, aircraft incidents, and water vehicle incidents.


Published December 19, 2023.

Licensed Occupations

2023 Directory of Licensed Occupations in Wyoming

The 2023 Directory of Licensed Occupations in Wyoming, compiled by the Research & Planning (R&P) section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, provides detailed information about license requirements and related information for the 98 occupations required to have a license by the state of Wyoming. Forty-five licensing boards oversee the administration and enforcement of these licenses.

Requiring practitioners of some occupations to be licensed results in the assurance that these workers have a minimum level of education and competency, and also generally results in higher wages for workers in those occupations compared to those in many unlicensed occupations.

Published October 2023.

PDF (3.1 MB)

 

 


NEW! Licensed Health Care Occupation Data for Individuals Working in Wyoming, 2023Q1

These tables provide detailed information on licensed individuals working in Wyoming, including employment by region, age, and gender.

Table of Contents (HTML)

Published October 2023.

Benefits

Wyoming Benefits Survey 2022

The Research & Planning (R&P) section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services conducts the Wyoming Benefits Survey on a quarterly basis. This survey is designed to collect information about the types of benefits Wyoming employers offer their employees.

This publication examines the prevalence of employer-provided benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave in Wyoming during first quarter 2022. These benefits are analyzed in several ways: by full- and part-time employment status, employer size class, industry, and by Wyoming substate region.

PDF (3.9 MB)

Published August 2023.

 


Projections

Wyoming Long-Term Sub-State Occupational Projections, 2020-2030

 

Sub-state Projections

Published July 13, 2023.

STEM Occupations

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Occupations

List of STEM occupations and long-term projections for STEM occupations in Wyoming and the U.S., 2020-2030.

Updated January 6, 2023.

New Hires

Wyoming New Hires Job Skills Survey Results, 2020

In 2020, Wyoming employers added an estimated 79,650 new hires: individuals who, during a particular quarter, started working for an employer he or she had not worked for since at least 1992, the first year for which R&P has wage records.

The New Hires Survey allows R&P to collect rich survey detail not previously available, such as occupation, rate of compensation, benefits, important job skills, employer satisfaction with a new hire’s skills, retention, and more. By linking New Hires Survey data to existing administrative databases, such as Unemployment Insurance Wage Records and Wyoming Department of Transportation driver’s license files, R&P is also able to identify new hires characteristics such as age and gender.

Published June 29, 2022.

Publications

COVID-19 and the Labor Force

How the Global Pandemic Affected Wyoming Workers

Using survey data collected through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey (CPS), this new report from the Research & Planning (R&P) section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services looks at how the global pandemic impacted workers in Wyoming and the U.S.

Topics covered in this report include:

  • The number of individuals who were able to work remotely
  • How many people were unable to work
  • Whether employees received pay for hours not worked
  • If the pandemic prevent individuals from looking for work
  • And more


Published March 23, 2022.

Publications

Another Decade Later

Tracking Wyoming's High School Seniors into Post-secondary Education and the Labor Market

A new publication from the Research & Planning (R&P) section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services demonstrates R&P's ability to track Wyoming high school seniors into post-secondary education and the labor market.

The senior cohort for the academic year 2006/07 was used as an example throughout the publication. Key findings showed that 10 years after their senior year:

  • 78.7% had attended either college or a university
  • 39.8% earned a post-secondary award (certificate or degree)
  • 49.2% were found working in Wyoming
Published September 29, 2021.

Postsecondary Education Employment Outcomes

New from R&P: Postsecondary Education Employment Outcomes Interactive Graphics

New postsecondary education employment outcomes data for graduates of Wyoming community colleges and the University of Wyoming are now available online by clicking here.

For more information on how to navigate these interactive Tableau graphics, please see this article in Wyoming Labor Force Trends.

Published November 9, 2020.

Publications

Wyoming Youth and Populations with Barriers to Employment:

Supporting Tables and Figures for Wyoming’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Annual Performance Report, FY 2019

This report, prepared by the Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, serves as supporting documentation for Wyoming’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Annual Report for Program Year 2019. The primary focus of this report is Wyoming youth, which is defined for these purposes as individuals ages 15-24, and other populations with barriers to employment, such as homeless, English language learners, veterans, and others.

WIOA Report (PDF)

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for Wyoming

 
Published September 29, 2020.

Gender Wage Gap

A Study of the Disparity in Wages Between Men and Women in Wyoming: Update 2018

In 2017, the Wyoming joint labor, health, and social services interim and the joint minerals, business, and economic development interim committees requested the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services complete a study on the state’s gender wage gap (House Bill 0209). This report is an update to a similar report published in 2003.

Report: Update 2018 (PDF)

Appendix Materials (PDF)

Addendum (PDF)

Presentation: PowerPoint | PDF

House Bill 0209, 2017 (PDF)

2003 Report

 

Published October 5, 2018. Revised December 3, 2018.


Commuting

Wyoming Intercounty Commuting Report, 2018Q1

With Longitudinal County Data from 1992 to 2018

Nearly one in four (22.5%) persons working in Wyoming in 2018Q1 commuted from another county or state.

Published December 2018.