Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 3.7% in March to 3.5% in April. According to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Wyoming’s unemployment rate was higher than its April 2022 level of 3.2% and slightly higher than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 3.4%. Seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents rose by 1,376 individuals (0.5%) from March to April as people went back to work.
From March to April, most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and decreased. Jobless rates often fall in April as warmer weather brings seasonal job gains in construction, professional & business services, and other sectors. The largest unemployment rate decreases occurred in Washakie (down from 5.7% to 3.9%), Big Horn (down from 4.8% to 3.6%), and Sweetwater (down from 5.0% to 3.8%) counties. Teton County’s unemployment rate rose from 2.7% in March to 3.9% in April as the ski season ended.
From April 2022 to April 2023, unemployment rates rose modestly in 11 counties, fell in nine counties, and remained unchanged in three counties. The largest increases were seen in Niobrara (up from 2.0% to 2.8%) and Goshen (up from 2.4% to 2.8%) counties. Unemployment rates fell in Weston (down from 2.8% to 2.2%), Converse (down from 3.1% to 2.6%), and Teton (down from 4.4% to 3.9%) counties.
Weston County, at 2.2%, had the lowest unemployment rate in April. It was followed by Albany, Converse, and Crook counties, each at 2.6%. The highest unemployment rates were found in Sublette, Teton, and Washakie counties, each at 3.9%.
Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 279,400 in April 2022 to 285,300 in April 2023, an increase of 5,900 jobs (2.1%).