County sees wage and employment increases

Crook County saw a 14.1% jump in wages between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023, according to the latest figures from the Wyoming Department of Revenue.

The average weekly wage for Crook County employees rose from $898 to $1025 during that time, an increase of 14.1%.

Growth was higher in state government at 16.4% and private industry at 16.1%. Wages grew less in federal government (13.7%) and local government (6.6%).

The largest increases in the private sector were in professional and technical services at 27%, mining at 21.9%, real estate at 20%, manufacturing at 19.9%, construction at 18.8%, wholesale trade at 18.7% and retail at 14%.

Weekly wages dropped by -24.8% in administrative and waste services, -13.8% in healthcare and social assistance and -8.6% in arts and entertainment.

Following the overall trend across the state, Crook County also saw an increase in total employment. However, growth was slower than the Wyoming average.

Federal government wages increased most significantly in transportation and warehousing at 27.9% and public administration at 12.6%.

Meanwhile, between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023, Crook County added 20 more employees to its payroll (from 2411 to 2431), a 0.8% increase. This compares to an overall state average 2.4% increase in total employment.

The largest growth was seen in Natrona County, which added 1459 jobs (4.0%). At the other end of the scale, Carbon County lost 116 jobs (-1.9%).

In Crook County, the most significant growth in the private sector was seen in professional and technical services (14 new employees), administrative and waste services (12 new employees), arts and entertainment (ten new employees), accommodation and food services (nine new employees).

Conversely, healthcare and social assistance lost 31 employees and construction had 12 fewer employed persons, while manufacturing lost 6 employees and “agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting” and retail both lost four employees.

Federal employees rose by four – two each in arts and entertainment and public administration. State government (public administration) lost four employees, while local government grew by six employees.

Total payroll grew in 21 counties and employment grew in 19 counties. Statewide, mining added the most jobs but substantial growth was seen in many sectors; one of the few industries in which it fell was the retail trade.