Report shows employment up, mining collections down in November 2024

CHEYENNE (WNE) —  Employment in Wyoming totaled 295,900 jobs in October 2024, 2,800 more than October last year.

“Total employment continues to increase year over year, but at a slowing rate,” said Dylan Bainer, principal economist for Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division, in a news release.. Private education and health added the most jobs in October, up 1,200 jobs compared to October 2023.

Year-over-year total sales and use tax collections decreased again, and collections from the mining sector continued to fall, down 34.9% year over year. This is the fourth consecutive month that collections from the mining sector have declined by more than 25% year over year.

Average active oil rigs were 12 in November, and the conventional gas rig count was 4.

Natural gas prices are still hovering around $2/MMBtu and oil prices are decreasing, according to Wyoming Insight, which serves as an energy index and business indicators report for the state.

The November 2024 natural gas price at the Opal Hub averaged $2.22 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), 8 cents less than last month. The Henry Hub natural gas price averaged $2.10/MMBtu in November, 10 cents less than last month.

The West Texas Intermediate monthly average price for crude oil was $69.95 per bbl. in November, 10.0% less than a year ago.

Total sales and use tax collections in November summed $80.0 million, $6.5 million (-7.6%) less than November last year.

“Sales & use tax collections have declined year over year in six of the last nine months,” said Bainer.

The November 2024 issue of Wyoming Insight is available at the state of Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division website, ai.wyo. gov/divisions/economic-analysis.

This story was published on December 11, 2024.