Wyoming Employment and Payroll Sees Growth in the Fourth Quarter of 2021

From 2020 to 2021, according to a recent report from the Department of Workforce Services, the state added “7,017” jobs, and total payroll increased by “$382.5” million. Even with this job growth, overall employment has “not returned to pre-pandemic levels” the report said. Compared to 2019, total employment was still down some 9,300 jobs in 2021.

The largest growth has occurred in leisure and hospitality, professional & business services, construction, mining, and oil & gas. These areas of the economy are all up by at least 4% going as high as 8% in leisure and hospitality. Modest gains were made in retail, financial services, and manufacturing.

These sectors suffered job losses in Wyoming during the same period: health care & social assistance, state government, local government, and federal government.

Park County added “245” jobs and its total payroll increased by “6.3%” or $9.8 million dollars.

The largest job gains in Park County were in accommodation & food services, which added “158” jobs. Retail, wholesale trade, administrative & waste services, and real estate had upticks—rental & leasing also saw gains. Employment dropped in construction and mining (including oil & gas).

When asked for comment, Senior Economist David Bullard said, “Like the state as a whole, Park County seems to be recovering from the large job losses experienced during the pandemic.”

Teton County increased its total payroll by “$138.3” million and added “1,369” jobs, a 7.3% gain. The biggest job gains took place in accommodation & food services, construction, professional & technical services, and real estate. Modest gains were made in administrative & waste services, retail trade, and educational services.

Laramie County added “1,304” jobs and its total payroll grew by 8.7%, an increase of “$54.5” million dollars. Laramie’s largest growth was in construction, which added approximately 650 jobs.

To view the complete breakdown for each county, visit the Department of Workforce Services website. The Research & Planning arm of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services collects, analyzes, and publishes timely and accurate labor market information based on established statistical standards.