Wyoming job growth accelerates
More Wyoming people are working and are earning a little more than they did a year ago. A new Wyoming Department of Workforce Services report shows unemployment insurance covered payroll increased by $78.2 million (2.5 percent) in the fourth quarter of 2011. Meanwhile, employment rose by 5,367 jobs (2.0 percent). The state Research and Planning section said the average weekly wage increased by $5 (.6 percent).
However, growth in total payroll and average weekly wages were both lower than than their five year averages. The mining sector added the largest number of new jobs in Wyoming and much of the growth in other sectors appeared related to the oil and gas industry.
Unemployment insurance covered payroll represents about 91 percent of all wage and salary disbursements and 43 percent of personal income in the state.
