Department of Workforce Services Research and Planning

May 6, 2024

Department of Workforce Services
Research and Planning

Wyoming Employment and Payroll: Construction Job Growth Continues in Fourth Quarter 2023

The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported today that from fourth quarter 2022 to fourth quarter 2023, total employment in the state rose by 4,594 jobs (1.7%) and total payroll increased by $265.8 million (6.6%).

In fourth quarter 2023, the largest job growth occurred in construction, which added 1,548 jobs (7.2%). Total payroll within the construction sector rose by $59.9 million (16.1%). More than half of the job gains in construction (806 jobs) were in power & communication system construction, the industry which includes the construction of wind farms. Oil & gas pipeline construction also saw particularly strong growth (369 jobs, or 19.1%).

More modest job gains were reported in professional & business services (498 jobs, or 2.4%), local government (including public schools, colleges, & hospitals; 468 jobs, or 1.0%), state government (465 jobs, or 3.9%), federal government (391 jobs, or 5.3%), health care & social assistance (299 jobs, or 1.2%), and mining (including oil & gas; 228 jobs, or 1.3%). Employment fell in financial activities (-122 jobs, or –1.1%) and manufacturing (-40 jobs, or –0.4%).

Employment rose in 16 counties and fell in seven counties.

Laramie County added 990 jobs (2.1%) and its total payroll grew by $58.5 million (8.7%). The largest job growth occurred in construction, local government, federal government, and other services.

Natrona County gained 677 jobs (1.7%) and its total payroll rose by $46.5 million (7.9%). Solid growth was seen in construction, health care & social assistance, mining (including oil & gas), real estate & rental & leasing, and manufacturing. Employment fell in finance & insurance, accommodation & food services, administrative & waste services, and retail trade.

Campbell County’s employment rose by 603 jobs (2.5%) and its total payroll grew by $26.0 million (6.5%). Sizeable job gains were seen in construction, health care & social assistance, local government, and retail trade. Employment fell in mining (including oil & gas) and professional & technical services.

Teton County added 584 jobs (2.7%) and its total payroll rose by $11.2 million (2.6%). Large job growth occurred in accommodation & food services, construction, local government, and administrative & waste services. Job losses were seen in professional & technical services, other services, and information.

Sweetwater County gained 403 jobs (1.9%) and its total payroll increased by $26.7 million (8.0%). Employment grew in local government, mining (including oil & gas), manufacturing, and retail trade.

Uinta County lost 115 jobs (-1.4%), but its total payroll grew by $4.8 million (4.9%). Job losses were seen in construction, local government, information, and accommodation & food services. Modest job gains occurred in state government and health care & social assistance.

Employment fell by 95 jobs (-1.5%) in Carbon County and total payroll was essentially unchanged ($161,213, or 0.2%). Job losses were seen in retail trade; arts, entertainment & recreation; and local government.

Converse County lost 64 jobs (-1.0%), but its total payroll grew by $2.1 million (2.1%).  Employment fell in mining (including oil & gas), accommodation & food services, and administrative & waste services.

Visit our website at https://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/23Q4_QCEW/toc.htm for detailed tables for each county.

Employment and wages data for first quarter 2024 are scheduled to be published on August 9, 2024.