{"schema_version": 1, "id": "wy-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 527, "label": "WY NONMETROPOLITAN AREA", "slug": "wy-nonmetropolitan-area"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T08:10:42.159266+00:00", "headline": "Nonmetro Wyoming's tight labor market masks a sector handoff.", "headline_summary": "Teton County unemployment sits at 1.8% and statewide wages rose 3.0% even as mining lost 2.5-3.8% of its workforce and health services expanded 2.5%, a rotation obscured by Wyoming's flat 0.4% overall job growth.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Teton County unemployment", "value": "1.8%", "context": "vs 3.8% Niobrara, 3.0% statewide"}, {"label": "Wyoming nonfarm job growth", "value": "0.4%", "context": "1,300 jobs added, Sept 2025-Sept 2026"}, {"label": "Mining employment change", "value": "-2.5% to -3.8%", "context": "vs +2.5% private education & health services"}, {"label": "Wyoming average annual wage", "value": "$63,501", "context": "up 3.0%, vs 3.5% US CPI growth"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Mining's retreat and health care's advance are reshaping the base.", "body": "Mining employment fell 2.5-3.8% depending on the measure while private education and health services grew 2.5%, a sectoral rotation that changes the composition of local payrolls and consumer spending even as total headcount barely moves. Economic development planning anchored to historical mining-era assumptions may need updating."}, {"headline": "County-level divergence undercuts any single statewide read.", "body": "Teton County's 1.8% unemployment sits alongside Niobrara's 3.8%, a gap wide enough that state or national averages tell commerce leaders little about conditions in any specific nonmetro county. Decisions on expansion or workforce investment should reference county-level Wyoming Department of Workforce Services data directly."}, {"headline": "Wages are outrunning inflation here, against the national grain.", "body": "Wyoming's 3.0% average annual wage gain compares favorably to the national pattern of real wage erosion (median earnings up 1.5% against 3.5% CPI growth), suggesting nonmetro Wyoming households may be entering the holiday season with somewhat firmer purchasing power than the national trend implies."}, {"headline": "Construction's project pipeline is a bellwether, not a given.", "body": "State projections point to 5.5% construction growth through 2027, tied to data centers, wind farms, and energy-related work, but Wyoming's recent experience with the Bechtel-TerraPower Natrium layoff notice shows how dependent this growth is on a handful of large projects continuing on schedule."}], "local_conditions": "Wyoming's nonmetropolitan counties held unemployment near historic lows in September 2026 -- Teton at 1.8%, Crook and Albany at 2.2% -- while six rural counties including Fremont and Platte posted month-over-month improvement, a pattern consistent with a labor market where available workers remain scarce relative to demand. Statewide nonfarm employment grew just 1,300 jobs (0.4%) year-over-year through September, with private education and health services expanding 2.5% even as mining contracted 2.5%, signaling that modest aggregate growth masks a sharper reallocation between sectors than the headline number suggests.", "implications": "Tight labor availability alongside flat aggregate job growth points to a local economy operating near capacity rather than one cooling off -- commerce leaders evaluating expansion or relocation decisions should treat labor supply, not demand softness, as the binding constraint in most nonmetro Wyoming counties. Wage gains that outpace the sub-1% national CPI-adjusted erosion seen elsewhere (Wyoming's average annual wage rose 3.0% to roughly $63,500) suggest local purchasing power is holding up better than the national pattern, a relevant input for retail and consumer-facing investment planning. Current conditions suggest reviewing site-selection or expansion timelines against county-level labor force participation data rather than statewide averages, given the wide spread between counties like Teton (1.8% unemployment) and Niobrara (3.8%).", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected release", "body": "October unemployment data for Wyoming and its nonmetro counties publishes November 23 -- the first full read on whether September's county-level improvements (Fremont, Platte, Weston, Crook) extended into fall."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Mining's continued contraction, paired with the Bechtel-TerraPower Natrium layoff notice, bears watching for whether energy-sector softness spreads beyond uranium-adjacent construction into broader nonmetro employment."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "Construction activity tied to data centers and wind projects is a leading signal for nonmetro labor demand; any slippage in project timelines would show up first in county-level construction employment before it appears in statewide totals."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "National CDL Truck Driver pay is rising moderately against a stable national trend, and metro-level advertised pay for the role already sits well above the national median -- a signal worth tracking for what it implies about freight and logistics activity tied to energy and construction projects in the region."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23694.0, "metro_p50": 29509.8, "metro_p75": 35706.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 25735.0, "metro_p50": 29120.0, "metro_p75": 30737.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34252.0, "metro_p50": 40435.2, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 68438.0, "metro_p50": 88000.0, "metro_p75": 94200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27991.0, "metro_p50": 31204.0, "metro_p75": 32582.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35183.0, "metro_p50": 41600.0, "metro_p75": 44200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60759.0, "metro_p50": 72739.0, "metro_p75": 82045.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29120.0, "metro_p50": 35121.6, "metro_p75": 39644.5, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29310.5, "metro_p50": 35360.0, "metro_p75": 38502.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 25794.0, "metro_p50": 28600.0, "metro_p75": 29170.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35360.0, "metro_p50": 42036.0, "metro_p75": 51700.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34045.0, "metro_p50": 40196.0, "metro_p75": 45760.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 56786.25, "metro_p50": 69200.0, "metro_p75": 78000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 82500.0, "metro_p50": 104000.0, "metro_p75": 114621.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 119108.0, "metro_p50": 156635.2, "metro_p75": 166849.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 97077.5, "metro_p50": 129132.0, "metro_p75": 150834.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 51322.0, "metro_p50": 64451.0, "metro_p75": 70158.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 75896.0, "metro_p50": 98906.6, "metro_p75": 105831.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 51867.0, "metro_p50": 64145.2, "metro_p75": 77500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 47691.0, "metro_p50": 82107.0, "metro_p75": 111657.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": null, "metro_p25": null, "metro_p50": null, "metro_p75": null, "metro_trend_direction": null, "metro_trend_magnitude": null, "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35318.0, "metro_p50": 62324.0, "metro_p75": 70097.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 74652.0, "metro_p50": 102793.0, "metro_p75": 112815.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": null, "metro_p25": null, "metro_p50": null, "metro_p75": null, "metro_trend_direction": null, "metro_trend_magnitude": null, "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 83114.0, "metro_p50": 92856.0, "metro_p75": 105040.25, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 71259.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 115119.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 41577.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 47840.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 136017.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 65947.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 75216.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 88207.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 31489.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "stable", "postings_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 65349.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [{"source_name": "Wyoming Department of Workforce Services", "source_url": null, "statement": "Teton 1.8%, Crook/Albany 2.2% unemployment, Sept 2026"}, {"source_name": "Wyoming Department of Workforce Services", "source_url": null, "statement": "Wyoming nonfarm employment rose 1,300 jobs (0.4%) YoY"}, {"source_name": "Wyoming Division of Economic Analysis", "source_url": null, "statement": "Mining down 2.5-3.8%, private education/health up 2.5%"}, {"source_name": "Wyoming Research & Planning", "source_url": null, "statement": "Wyoming average annual wage rose 3.0% to $63,501"}, {"source_name": "Wyoming WARN tracking", "source_url": null, "statement": "Bechtel filed layoff notice tied to TerraPower Natrium project"}, {"source_name": "Bureau of Labor Statistics", "source_url": null, "statement": "National median earnings rose 1.5% vs 3.5% CPI, Q3 2026"}], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "wy-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "wy-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "wy-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:32:41.396129+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/wy-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/wy-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}