Wyoming Employment Picture Improves

Wyoming’s employment picture is looking a little brighter as reported Friday by the Wyoming’s Department of Workforce Services in their quarterly census of employment and wages.  Total unemployment insurance covered payroll in Wyoming increased by $215.8 million in the first quarter of 2012 and employment rose by 6,470 jobs while average weekly wage increased by 5.2%.  Here in Teton County, however, wages actually only grew by 1.9%.   The state’s report says that job growth in first quarter was higher than its five-year average; 2.5% compared with 3/10%.  Those figures were reflected in Teton County’s employment picture as well.  Total wages and average weekly wage also grew faster than their five year averages.  However, the department points out that despite the recent growth, overall employment remains approximately 6,200 jobs, or 2.2% below its first quarter 2008 level. In other words, the state has yet to recoup all the job losses of 2009 and 2010.