From fourth quarter 2021 to fourth quarter 2022, Wyoming added 5,292 jobs (2.0%) and total payroll rose by $58.8 million (1.5%). Despite the recent job growth, employment has not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels. Total employment in fourth quarter 2022 was down approximately 3,600 jobs from fourth quarter 2019.

In fourth quarter 2022, the largest job gains occurred in mining (including oil & gas; 1,454 jobs, or 9.4%). Substantial growth was also seen in leisure & hospitality (798 jobs, or 2.3%), local government (including public schools, colleges, & hospitals; 733 jobs, or 1.6%), professional & business services (728 jobs, or 3.6%), and manufacturing (509 jobs, or 5.1%). Employment fell in construction (-153 jobs, or –0.7%) and state government (-113 jobs, or –0.9%). Employment rose in 17 counties, fell in five counties, and remained unchanged in Washakie County.

Natrona County gained 1,434 jobs (3.8%) and its total payroll grew by $48.3 million (9.0%). Mining (including oil & gas) added more than 500 jobs. Large job gains were also seen in professional & business services, wholesale trade, manufacturing, transportation & warehousing, financial activities, and education & health services. Employment fell in retail trade.

Teton County added 1,154 jobs (5.7%), but its total payroll fell by $73.7 million (-14.5%). It appears that the decrease in total payroll is related to large bonuses paid in fourth quarter 2021, but not repeated in 2022. Accommodation & food services added nearly 500 jobs and notable growth also occurred in construction, local government, professional & business services, and retail trade.

Employment in Campbell County rose by 1,045 jobs  (4.5%) and its total payroll grew by $25.6 million (6.8%). The mining sector (including oil & gas) gained more than 550 jobs and job gains were also seen in wholesale trade, professional & business services, local government, construction, and other services.

Sweetwater County gained 631 jobs (3.2%) and its total payroll increased by $19.7 million (6.2%). The construction sector added more than 400 jobs and growth also occurred in manufacturing and wholesale trade.

Uinta County added 467 jobs (5.9%) and its total payroll rose by $4.4 million (4.7%). The largest job gains were in construction and local government.

Laramie County lost 695 jobs (-1.5%) and its total payroll fell by $11.7 million (-1.7%). Construction employment decreased by approximately 900 jobs and smaller job losses were seen in transportation & warehousing; local government; real estate, rental, & leasing; and retail trade. Job losses were partially offset by growth in mining (including oil & gas), leisure & hospitality, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance.

Employment in Big Horn County fell by 121 jobs (-2.9%), but its total payroll rose by $0.9 million (1.8%). Job losses were seen in construction, accommodation & food services, and health care & social assistance.

Visit our website at https://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/22Q4_QCEW/toc.htm for detailed tables for each county.

Employment and wages data for first quarter 2023 are scheduled to be published on August 3, 2023.