Wyoming payroll increases in first quarter 2012

Wyoming payroll increased by $215.8 million in the first quarter of 2012. According to the Research and Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, employment rose by 6,470 jobs and average weekly wages increased by $42 (5.2 percent). First quarter job growth, total wages and average weekly wage were higher than the state’s five year average.

Average monthly employment in Teton County grew 2.6 percent, or 404 jobs, during the first quarter of the year and total payroll grew by 1.9 percent. However, the average weekly wage fell by five dollars ($745), a decline of .7 percent.

The only other Wyoming county to post a decline was Lincoln County. Average monthly employment fell 3.4 percent in the first quarter. During the period, total payroll declined by 7.5 percent and the average weekly wage dropped $33 to $776, down 4.1% from 2011.