Wyoming Forecasts 6,000 New Jobs by 2027 as 3.4% Unemployment Masks Worker Shortage
Updated
Updated · Oil City News · Jul 28
Wyoming Forecasts 6,000 New Jobs by 2027 as 3.4% Unemployment Masks Worker Shortage
1 articles · Updated · Oil City News · Jul 28
Summary
More than 6,000 new Wyoming jobs are projected for 2025-27, but state and business officials say too few available workers will leave many openings hard to fill.
A 3.4% unemployment rate has held since rising from 3.1% in 2024-25, reflecting a smaller labor pool as residents stay out of the workforce, the population ages and younger people leave the state.
Businesses say the shortage already limits hiring, retention and expansion, with affordable housing, childcare costs and skills mismatches blocking workers from taking available jobs.
House Bill 2 sets deadlines for local permit reviews to speed housing construction, while the Wyoming Innovation Partnership is building training programs in nine fields including healthcare, energy and agriculture.
Longer term, Wyoming is projected to add more than 28,000 jobs from 2024 to 2034, led by construction growth, though officials note many recent construction jobs are temporary and forecasts can miss shocks.