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Unemployment: An all-time low.
In recent years, Sublette County has maintained
one of the lowest unemployment rates in the
nation. According to the Wyoming Department of
Employment, Research & Planning, Sublette
County posted an unemployment rate of 1.7% at
for the end of July 2007, which is tied for an all-
time county low.
Across both the state and nation, levels of
unemployment typically increase during winter
months, however Sublette County’s level of
unemployment actually dropped from about
2.0% this summer.
--No More Fluctuations--
Unemployment rates in Sublette County have
traditionally fluctuated greatly depending on the
season. In the last two years, however, these
fluctuations have effectively stopped. (Please
see graph at the upper right, and click to
enlarge). The county’s natural gas development
has not only created winter-time job
opportunities in the gas industry, but has also
likely attracted employees from other sectors
and thus created employment opportunities in
those sectors. In addition, growth in Sublette
County’s housing stock has provided additional
opportunities for winter-time work.
Unemployment rates are typically figured by
measuring the number of people seeking
unemployment benefits verses the overall
available workforce.
In recent years, Sublette County has maintained
one of the lowest unemployment rates in the
nation. According to the Wyoming Department of
Employment, Research & Planning, Sublette
County posted an unemployment rate of 1.7% at
for the end of July 2007, which is tied for an all-
time county low.
Across both the state and nation, levels of
unemployment typically increase during winter
months, however Sublette County’s level of
unemployment actually dropped from about
2.0% this summer.
--No More Fluctuations--
Unemployment rates in Sublette County have
traditionally fluctuated greatly depending on the
season. In the last two years, however, these
fluctuations have effectively stopped. (Please
see graph at the upper right, and click to
enlarge). The county’s natural gas development
has not only created winter-time job
opportunities in the gas industry, but has also
likely attracted employees from other sectors
and thus created employment opportunities in
those sectors. In addition, growth in Sublette
County’s housing stock has provided additional
opportunities for winter-time work.
Unemployment rates are typically figured by
measuring the number of people seeking
unemployment benefits verses the overall
available workforce.
Pipeline Workers in the Jonah Field -- Photo by Brian Hall
Sublette County Wage Study
Over 60 employers from Sublette County
contributed wage information to the study.
Download the study here. (Click Wage Table
at Right to Enlarge).
Findings include:
Over 60 employers from Sublette County
contributed wage information to the study.
Download the study here. (Click Wage Table
at Right to Enlarge).
Findings include:
- Minimum wage for non-skilled, non-
labor intensive jobs starts at about
$9/hr in Sublette County. Wyoming's
average is about $7/hr.
- Minimum wage for non-skilled gas
field jobs starts at about 14/hr.
Construction jobs start at about $12/hr.
- Rig hands start at about $24/hr.
- Seasonal employment fluctuations
have effectively stopped (See below
and far right).
- If Teton County is removed from the
average, it costs about 21% more to
live in Sublette County than the rest of
Wyoming. Housing costs about 35%
more.
Employment: All Time High.
Likewise, according to the Wyoming
Department of Employment, Research &
Planning, the numbers of people employed
in Sublette County have risen sharply in the
past five years. The average number of
people employed in Sublette County has
increased by nearly 90% between 2000 and
2007, rising from 3454 employed in 2000 to
nearly 6500 employed in 2007 (See Graph at
Right, Click to Enlarge). By comparison, the
permanent resident population in the county
is estimated to have increased by about 25%
during the same time period. The increase is
partially due to increased winter-time
employment, which will increase the yearly
average.
--Seasonal Fluctuations among "out of
towners", but not local residents--
As with unemployment rates, seasonal
fluctuations in employment numbers have
also effectively stopped. However, people
who work in Sublette County for a company
located outside the county are probably not
counted in these numbers. Therefore, there
are likely still large workforce fluctuations
among "rotational" or temporary workers.
In addition, these numbers likely do not
include those who are self-employed.
Likewise, according to the Wyoming
Department of Employment, Research &
Planning, the numbers of people employed
in Sublette County have risen sharply in the
past five years. The average number of
people employed in Sublette County has
increased by nearly 90% between 2000 and
2007, rising from 3454 employed in 2000 to
nearly 6500 employed in 2007 (See Graph at
Right, Click to Enlarge). By comparison, the
permanent resident population in the county
is estimated to have increased by about 25%
during the same time period. The increase is
partially due to increased winter-time
employment, which will increase the yearly
average.
--Seasonal Fluctuations among "out of
towners", but not local residents--
As with unemployment rates, seasonal
fluctuations in employment numbers have
also effectively stopped. However, people
who work in Sublette County for a company
located outside the county are probably not
counted in these numbers. Therefore, there
are likely still large workforce fluctuations
among "rotational" or temporary workers.
In addition, these numbers likely do not
include those who are self-employed.
| Selected Employment/Unemployment Graphs (Click Graphs to Enlarge) |
Unless otherwise noted, all contents of this website are
property of the Sublette County Socioeconomic Analysis
Advisory Committee.
Please Contact Us for permission to use. Photo By Brian
Hall.
property of the Sublette County Socioeconomic Analysis
Advisory Committee.
Please Contact Us for permission to use. Photo By Brian
Hall.
