The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly from 3.0% in August to 3.1% in September. Wyoming’s unemployment rate was modestly higher than its September 2023 level of 2.9%, but much lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1%.
From August to September, county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and decreased. The largest decreases occurred in Platte (down from 3.6% to 2.7%), Goshen (down from 3.4% to 2.6%), and Johnson (down from 3.1% to 2.4%) counties.
In September, unemployment rates were higher than their year-ago levels in every county. The largest increases were reported in Big Horn (up from 2.4% to 3.0%) and Carbon (up from 2.1% to 2.7%) counties.
Uinta County, at 3.1%, had the highest unemployment rate in September. It was followed by Big Horn County, Sublette County, and Sweetwater County, each at 3.0%. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Teton County at 1.6%, and Crook and Niobrara counties, each at 2.0%.
Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates show that total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 297,900 in September 2023 to 299,700 in September 2024, an increase of 1,800 jobs (0.6%).
October unemployment data will be published on November 20, 2024.