Wyoming’s economy is seeing a noticeable shift as the state’s labor market experiences modest growth in sectors like tourism and construction while grappling with a continued downturn in mining employment. The latest Labor Force Trends report from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, released in March, forecasts the addition of 8,000 jobs statewide between 2024 and 2026. Leisure and hospitality are expected to lead this growth, marking a turning point in the state’s employment landscape.

"Especially since the pandemic, we've seen really consistent growth in leisure and hospitality," said Michael Moore, Research Supervisor at Wyoming Workforce Services. "In third quarter, 2024, we had 43,650 jobs in that industry — more than we've ever had at any given point.”

Moore attributed this upward trend to increased travel and consumer demand for experiences following the pandemic, with many visitors flocking to Wyoming’s national parks and outdoor attractions. The sector’s expansion reflects broader national patterns, as Americans continue to prioritize leisure spending, particularly on travel and hospitality services.

Close behind tourism, the construction sector is also posting strong gains. Fueled by large-scale infrastructure developments, renewable energy projects, and expanding data center construction, the industry is projected to add 1,412 jobs by 2026 — a 6% increase from 2024 employment levels. Moore noted, however, that this growth may be somewhat unstable.

"Once that job's complete, out-of-state workers often go back to their home state," he said.

These temporary positions often fluctuate based on project timelines and funding availability, making long-term employment in the sector less predictable despite the current boom.

By contrast, the mining industry — long a cornerstone of Wyoming’s economy — continues to decline. After peaking in 2008 with 30,372 jobs, the sector has steadily shed workers over the past 15 years. By the third quarter of 2024, mining jobs had dropped to around 16,000, and projections show a further loss of 144 jobs by 2026, a decline of nearly 1%.

"In 2008, mining contributed about 19% of the state's total wages at its peak," Moore said. "Now it's about 9%.”

This decline has significant implications for state revenue and rural communities historically dependent on energy production. The shift also underscores a broader economic transformation, as Wyoming diversifies into sectors requiring different skill sets and educational backgrounds.

Another challenge for the state is workforce retention. Data from the report shows that approximately half of Wyoming high school seniors who are employed in their final year of school leave the state’s labor force within a decade.

“This doesn't mean they don't live here. They may be living here and not working. They may be living here and taking care of a family member, and just not participating in the labor force. Or they may be living here and working in another state,” said Moore.

The difficulty in keeping younger workers in Wyoming is compounded by the draw of larger urban job markets in neighboring states.

“Surrounding states, especially with large metropolitan areas like Utah, Colorado, with Salt Lake and Denver, there's just more job opportunities and different types of job opportunities than there are in Casper,” Moore said. “We've certainly struggled to retain youth as they leave the workforce here.”

Looking ahead, the state anticipates that most job openings through 2026 will not require advanced education. In fact, 72.5% of the 74,421 projected openings will be accessible to individuals with only a high school diploma or less. This includes a mix of low-wage service jobs and better-compensated trade positions.

“People always need to hire cashiers and fast food workers, but we're also seeing good paying jobs in construction that don't require college degrees," Moore said.

In addition to tourism and construction, the healthcare sector is also emerging as a critical area of growth. Wyoming’s aging population is fueling demand for more medical and social services, and the state expects to add 1,160 healthcare and social assistance jobs by 2026 — a 3.4% increase from 2024.

The evolving job market highlights the need for Wyoming to adapt its workforce strategies. Economic planners are focusing on aligning training programs with emerging opportunities in trades, health services, and tourism, aiming to build a more resilient and diverse employment base for the future.

Originally reported by Corwin Schlump in Wyoming Public Radio.