CHEYENNE — The Research & Planning Section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Friday that from second quarter 2022 to second quarter 2023, total employment in the state rose by 6,814 jobs (2.5%), and total payroll increased by $266.8 million (7.2%).

In second quarter 2023, the largest job growth occurred in professional and business services (1,249 jobs, or 6.0%), local government (including public schools, colleges and hospitals; 1,105 jobs, or 2.5%), mining (including oil and gas; 916 jobs, or 5.7%), leisure and hospitality (729 jobs, or 1.9%), and construction (693 jobs, or 3.2%). 

Sizable job gains were also seen in health care and social assistance (529 jobs, or 2.1%), transportation and warehousing (339 jobs, or 3.5%), federal government (302 jobs, or 3.9%), wholesale trade (272 jobs, or 3.5%) and manufacturing (269 jobs, or 2.7%). Retail trade employment fell by 322 jobs, or 1.1%. Employment rose in 19 counties and fell in four counties.

Laramie County gained 1,096 jobs (2.4%) and its total payroll increased by $41.8 million (6.7%). Mining (including oil and gas) added approximately 250 jobs, and strong growth also occurred in local government (including educational services), professional and technical services, administrative and waste services and other services. 

Job losses were seen in retail trade, finance and insurance, and transportation and warehousing.