Wyoming Insight reports decrease in tax collections, mining but increase in employment

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Wyoming’s total sales and use tax collections have decreased year-over-year and mining collections continue to fall, according to the latest edition of Wyoming Insight, which serves as an energy index and business indicators report for the state.

Total sales and use tax collections in February summed to $65.6 million, $5.8 million less (-8.1%) than February last year.

“Sales & use tax collections have declined year-over-year in eight of the last 12 months,” said Dylan Bainer, principal economist for Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division, in a news release. Collections from the mining sector continue to decline, down $1.5 million (-17.5%) year-over-year. This is the 10th consecutive month that collections from the mining sector have declined year-over-year.

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

Retail trade and utilities also experienced substantial declines, down $2.2 million (-7.9%) and $1.1 million (-21.0%), respectively.

However, according to Wyoming Insight, employment in Wyoming totaled 295,700 jobs in January 2025, 2,600 more (+0.9%) than January 2024.

“Total employment continues to grow, but at a moderating rate,” said Bainer.

The construction sector added the most jobs in February, up 1,400 jobs year-over-year.

The February 2025 issue of the 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 March 20, 2025.