Exciting leisure activities amidst mountains, lakes, and wide open spaces and affordable living go along with Wyoming employment. Wyoming’s economy is very steady even in recessions because of the state’s phenomenal natural resources. The scenic beauty of the state and national parks and fantastic skiing draw people from around the world. The U.S. government is a major employer in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park and provides many seasonal jobs there for people from many nations. Another stable source of Wyoming employment is the mining industry, which provides jobs even in hard times.
Wyoming unemployment
Wyoming unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 4.2% to a rate of 7.4%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Wyoming Employment Opportunities
Mining and tourism are major engines of Wyoming employment. There are about 34 mining companies operating in Wyoming, including the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company, Energy Metals Corporation, and Foundation Coal West. Almost 1 in 6 jobs in Wyoming are in the mining and materials movement industries.
Tourism is another engine of Wyoming employment, including jobs at skiing resorts, ranches, and state and national parks. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has the contract with the U.S. government for operating the concessions at Yellowstone Park, which has over 3,500 seasonal jobs. People come from 35 countries and all 50 states in a typical season to work at Yellowstone Park. Wyoming’s mountains attract skiers at resort towns such as Jackson Hole, which provide employment at the ski runs, hotels, and restaurants. Another growing area of tourism is at the working cattle ranches that make additional money by operating guest houses for tourists who come to try out the cowboy life.
There are about 250 small businesses that make and sell products in Wyoming with a distinct western character. These Wyoming-made products include products such as lead ropes for horses, custom fishing rods, gourmet chili products, jewelry made of elk and Wyoming jade, and custom cowboy gear. These small businesses represent opportunities for anyone looking for a job in shops dedicated to craftsmanship.
The Francis E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB), generates Wyoming employment for civilians as well as military personnel in the town of Cheyenne. Twentieth Air Force, which controls all of America’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, has its headquarters at Warren AFB. There are 3,800 civilians working at Warren AFB. Like most military bases, Warren AFB generates a lot of service jobs in Cheyenne. Asl the capitol of Wyoming, Cheyenne also has many state government gobs.
In June 2009, when US national unemployment rate hit 9.4%, the jobless rate in Wyoming is only 5%. The typical rate of unemployment in Wyoming is only 2.5%, which is very low.
Wyoming Employment Resources
Unlike many other states with budget problems, Wyoming has the resources to help people looking for work. The state’s Department of Workforce Services has an excellent web site at https://www.wyomingatwork.com. The web site provides information on Wyoming employment resources development, which partner with local councils, chambers of commerce, and economic development groups. People can also call toll-Free at 1-877-WORK-WYO. The web site offers job information in English and Spanish. The state offers a number of programs to help people explore individual potential, including an Apprenticeship Program and career aptitude testing, job resources for seniors, and migrant worker job assistance. In addition, there are local job centers that have computers available for job seekers with resume writing software and and other resource materials.
Jobs at Yellowstone National Park are listed at www.yellowstonejobs.com, which is operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. In addition, federal Park Service seasonal and permanent jobs are listed at http://www.nps.gov/personnel. Civilian jobs at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB) can be found at: http://www.military.com.
State of Wyoming employment opportunities are very diverse, including such occupations as GIS Specialists, Wildlife Disease Biologists, Nurses, and Workforce Specialists. The open state jobs are listed at: http://statejobs.state.wy. The University of Wyoming positions jobs are listed at: http://www.uwyo.edu.
Wyoming Living Conditions
Wyoming has 97,100 square miles with a population density of only 5 persons per square mile, which is much less than the nation-wide density of 80 persons per square mile. The median home price of $96,000 is almost $20,000 less than for the US as a whole. Wyoming’s median household income of $52,400 is several thousand dollars higher than for the nation. Thus, relatively low house prices and relatively higher incomes means more disposable income is likely to go along with Wyoming employment.
About 94% of the Wyoming population is Caucasian, 7% are Hispanic or Latino origin, and 2.5% are Native American. Cities are small with from 10,000-30,000 people. The small towns and cities have the special character of the America’s western mountain states. Wyoming’s festivals demonstrate this western flavor. Laramee’s Jublilee Days offers steer roping, world-class rodeo, and country music concerts for 10 days in July. At Cheyenne’s Frontier Days, there are “40 bucking bulls and over 70 saddle and bareback broncs” in each performance, as well as Native American and historical exhibits. Cheyenne’s festival also includes US Air Force air shows by the renowned Thunderbirds.
Wyoming employment also offers fantastic hiking, skiing, biking, fishing, and other recreation at national and state parks, including the Shoshone National Forest, one of the largest forests in the country, the Grand Teton National Park, which typically hosts 3-4 million visitors per year, and Yellowstone National Park, the site of world famous Old Faithful geyser. The Jackson Hole Ski Resort in the Grand Tetons hosted the inaugural World Cup season in 1967 and has hosted many national and international events since then.
Wyoming Employment
People who want to live and work in wide open spaces love Wyoming. Anyone interested in working in the mining industry, state and national parks, or tourism, especially at national parks and ski resorts, will be excited by the jobs available in Wyoming. The abundant leisure activities and the western character make Wyoming employment a real adventure.
