The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged from January to February at 2.8%. Wyoming’s unemployment rate was lower than its year-ago level of 3.1% and much lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 3.9%.
From January to February, most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and remained stable or decreased slightly. The largest decreases occurred in Niobrara (down from 3.8% to 3.0%), Big Horn (down from 4.8% to 4.4%), Platte (down from 3.6% to 3.3%), and Crook (down from 3.4% to 3.1%) counties. Jobless rates increased modestly in Washakie (up from 3.9% to 4.5%) and Hot Springs (up from 3.2% to 3.5%) counties.
From February 2023 to February 2024, unemployment rates fell in 14 counties, rose in six counties, and remained unchanged in three counties. The largest decreases were seen in Niobrara (down from 4.5% to 3.0%), Fremont (down from 4.8% to 4.2%), and Carbon (down from 4.2% to 3.7%) counties. Unemployment rates rose slightly in Hot Springs (up from 3.0% to 3.5%), Converse (up from 2.7% to 3.0%), and Washakie (up from 4.2% to 4.5%) counties.
In February, Washakie County had the highest unemployment rate at 4.5%. It was followed by Big Horn County at 4.4%, and Fremont, Sublette, and Sweetwater counties, each at 4.2%. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Teton County at 2.1% and Weston County at 2.8%.
Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates show that total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 282,400 in February 2023 to 285,900 in February 2024, an increase of 3,500 jobs (1.2%).
March unemployment data will be released on April 22, 2024.