BUFFALO — Wyoming’s construction industry continues to see strong momentum, posting job and wage growth for several consecutive years. Yet, employers in Johnson County say the boom has not translated into enough new workers entering the field.

According to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services’ 2025 Workforce Annual Report, construction remains the state’s fastest-growing industry, contributing more new jobs than any other sector. The industry added 1,281 jobs statewide over the past year—a 5.7% increase—marking more than three straight years of year-over-year growth.

But in places like Johnson County, employers say reliable workers are still difficult to find.

“You want to keep growing, but our turnover rate is massive,” said Jerrica Mittleider, owner of Barnum Construction, a subcontractor currently working on Buffalo’s Main Street preservation project.

Mittleider said the company has raised wages in recent years and demand for work has remained steady, but younger workers are less likely to stay on the job. “Reliable young people are rare, so Barnum tends to find people in their late 20s and up. Once people start having families and bills, they tend to be more reliable with the right attitude, performance and attendance,” she explained.

Even when younger workers are hired, training challenges and poor attendance can become issues. “When Barnum does hire young people, they can be hard to train and oftentimes stop showing up. That isn’t always the case, but it’s common,” she added.

Other local employers echo those concerns.

Dan Rogers, owner of Rocky Mountain Equipment Services, said the local labor pool has been shrinking for years. “In Johnson County, the employment pool has continually shrunk, though I’m unsure why,” he said.

Rogers noted that many young people seem reluctant to enter a trade that requires long hours and physical labor. “Young people tend to not want to get their hands dirty, and it’s a hard job,” he said. “The people we do have have been with us a long time.”

At one time, Rogers’ business offered excavation services, but he ultimately dropped that line of work because of staffing shortages. Now, the company focuses primarily on equipment sales and rentals.

Still, employers stress that construction offers good wages, steady work, and strong benefits.

Chris Bernard, owner of Ace Builders Inc. in Sheridan, said his company, which is currently building the ambulance barn in Johnson County, has been fortunate to retain a loyal and experienced crew. “The industry offers good job security, because construction jobs still require real people to do the work,” Bernard said.

Ace provides a 401(k) plan, paid vacations, bonuses, and other benefits. Rogers said his company also provides annual raises above inflation and additional perks to reward long-term employees.

Nationally, workforce challenges remain a top concern. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the U.S. construction industry will need to attract an estimated 439,000 new workers in 2025 to meet rising demand. While the industry has begun to attract more young workers than in past years, ABC warns that demand is still outpacing the number of entrants.

ABC data suggests that while an influx of younger workers could help ease the burden of retirements, the industry remains on a tight timeline to fill critical workforce gaps.

Employers in Wyoming say those gaps are felt most acutely in rural counties, where smaller companies compete not just with each other but also with larger firms in cities offering higher pay and advancement opportunities.

Despite the challenges, industry leaders remain optimistic. They point to steady construction demand—from infrastructure projects to housing and commercial development—as evidence that opportunities will remain strong for those who enter the field.

Mittleider said that while finding employees is difficult, the reward comes when workers stay and grow with the company. “When you do find the right people, they make all the difference,” she said.

Originally reported by Jackie Galli Buffalo in Wyoming News.