Wyoming Insight: Employment increases, sales and use tax collections decrease

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Total employment in Wyoming increased year over year, but the state’s total sales and use tax collections decreased and mining collections continued to fall, according to Wyoming Insight, which serves as an energy index and business indicators report for the state. 

The report also states that oil prices bounced back in June after falling to lowest level since April 2021.

Employment in Wyoming totaled 296,600 jobs in May 2025, 2,600 more (+0.9%) than May 2024. 

“Total employment continues to grow, but at a (moderate) rate,” Dylan Bainer, principal economist for Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division, said in a news release.

State and local government sectors added the most jobs in May, up 1,000 jobs year-over-year. 

The mining sector saw the largest job loss, down 800 jobs.

Total sales and use tax collections in June summed to $71.3 million, $500,000 less (-0.7%) than June last year. 

“Sales & use tax collections in June declined slightly year-over-year, partially due to the continuing weak performance from the mining sector,” Bainer said. 

The West Texas Intermediate monthly average price for crude oil was $68.17 per bbl. in June, 9.7% more than a month ago, but 14.5% less than June 2024. 

Average active oil rigs were nine in June, and the conventional gas rig count was four. At this time last year there were 12 oil rigs and one gas rig.

Collections from the mining sector continue to decline, down $1.4 million (-17.2%) year-over- year. This is the 14th consecutive month that collections from the mining sector have declined year-over-year. The retail trade sector, which is Wyoming’s largest sector in terms of sales and use tax collections, saw the largest increase in collections, up $2.2 million (+7.8%) year-over-year.

This story was published on July 11, 2025.