The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services is reporting the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly from 5.3% in March to 5.4% in April.
Still, the state’s unemployment rate was much lower than the current U.S. rate of 6.1%.
From March to April, unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and fell in most counties around the state.
Unemployment rates often decrease in April as seasonal job gains occur in construction, retail trade, and professional & business services.
Sheridan County’s unemployment rate fell a half of a percent to 5.2% in April but is slightly higher than a year ago.
In Johnson County, unemployment fell to 5.2% as well, down from 5.9% in March and also 5.9% in April 2020. This drop was one of the largest in the state, behind a 8-point drop in Park and Big Horn Counties.
Natrona County had the highest unemployment rate in April at 7.4%. The lowest unemployment rates was found in Weston County at 3.9%.
Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 257,100 in April 2020 to 267,900 in April 2021, an increase of 10,800 jobs (4.2%). Nonfarm employment was unusually low in April 2020 because of widespread economic disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research & Planning has scheduled the May unemployment news release for June 21, 2021.
