Wyoming unemployment falls to 3.3% in May 2023

The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Monday that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 3.5% in April to 3.3% in May.

Wyoming’s unemployment rate has decreased in each of the past four months and is slightly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 3.7%. Seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents increased by 1,351 individuals (0.5%) from April to May.

Unemployment rates fell from April to May in every area of the state. Unemployment usually decreases in May as seasonal job gains occur in many different sectors, including construction, leisure & hospitality, professional & business services, government, and retail trade. The largest decreases in unemployment were found in Teton (down from 3.9% to 2.8%), Park (down from 3.5% to 2.5%) and Sublette (down from 3.9% to 3.0%) counties.

May unemployment rates were lower than a year ago in almost every county. Niobrara County was the exception; its unemployment rate was unchanged from May 2022. The largest decreases occurred in Teton (down from 3.8% to 2.8%), Natrona (down from 3.9% to 2.9%), Washakie (down from 4.0% to 3.1%), and Converse (down from 3.1% to 2.2%) counties.

Sweetwater County posted the highest unemployment rate in May, at 3.2%. It was followed by Fremont County and Washakie County, both at 3.1%. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Weston County at 1.9%, Niobrara County at 2.1%, Crook County at 2.2%, and Converse County at 2.2%.

Washakie County’s labor force was relatively unchanged between April, 3, 919 and May 3,917, but was up from 3,888 a year ago.

Hot Springs County dropped from 2.9% in April to 2.6% in May. Big Horn County dropped from 3.6% in April to 2.9% in May.

Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 284,300 in May 2022 to 290,200 in May 2023, an increase of 5,900 jobs (2.1%).

June unemployment data will be released on July 24.