The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reports that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 3.8% in February to 3.7% in March. Wyoming’s unemployment rate was higher than its March 2022 level of 3.3% and slightly higher than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 3.5%.
From February to March, seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents rose by 1,467 individuals (0.5%) as people returned to work. Additionally, the state’s labor force, comprised of employed and unemployed individuals, rose by 7,027 people (2.4%) from March 2022 to March 2023.
From February to March, most county unemployment rates remained relatively stable. For example, Niobrara County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.7% to 3.5%.
Notable increases in unemployment were seen in
- Washakie County (up from 4.6% to 5.8%)
- Hot Springs County (up from 3.2% to 3.8%)
- Converse County (up from 2.8% to 3.2%)
- Sweetwater County (up from 4.7% to 5.1%)
From March 2022 to March 2023, unemployment rates rose in 20 counties and fell in three counties.
The largest increases occurred in Washakie (up from 4.4% to 5.8%) and Carbon (up from 3.7% to 4.5%) counties. Jobless rates fell in Weston (down from 3.2% to 2.7%), Campbell (down from 3.9% to 3.6%), and Converse (down from 3.4% to 3.2%) counties.
In March, Teton County had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.6%.
Teton County was followed by Weston County at 2.7% and Converse County at 3.2%. The highest unemployment rates were reported in Washakie County at 5.8%, Sweetwater County at 5.1%, and Fremont County at 4.9%.
Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 277,400 in March 2022 to 284,100 in March 2023, an increase of 6,700 jobs (2.4%).
Research & Planning has scheduled the April unemployment news release for May 22, 2023.
