State employment up, oil prices down in March, says economic report
CHEYENNE (WNE) — Total employment in Wyoming increased year-over-year, according to the Wyoming Insight, which serves as an energy index and business indicators report for the state.
Employment in Wyoming totaled 296,500 jobs in March 2025, 3,100 more (+1.1%) than March 2024. The construction sector added the most jobs in March, up 1,400 jobs year-over-year, followed by state and local government (+1,200 jobs).
In April, oil prices fell to lowest level since 2021; Henry Hub monthly average natural gas price dipped below $4/MMBtu.
The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) monthly average price for crude oil was $63.54 per bbl. in April, 6.9% less than a month ago and 25.6% less than April 2024. Average active oil rigs were 12 in April, and the conventional gas rig count was three. At this time last year, there were 11 oil rigs and one gas rig.
The April 2025 natural gas price at the Henry Hub averaged $3.41 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), $0.72 less than last month, but $1.82 more than April 2024. The Opal Hub natural gas price averaged $1.98/MMBtu in April, $0.76 less than last month, but $0.67 more than April 2024.
Total sales and use tax collections decreased year-over-year again and mining collections continued to fall.
Total sales and use tax collections in April totalled $75.9 million, $3 million less (-3.8%) than April last year.
Collections from the mining sector continue to decline, down $900,000 (-9.4%) year-over-year.
The April 2025 issue of the Wyoming Insight is available at the state of Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division website at ai.wyo.gov/divisions/economic-analysis.
This story was published on May 15, 2025.