A Closer Look: Challenges & Opportunities for Wyoming Workforce

Wyoming’s labor market is evolving, and businesses are feeling the effects of demographic shifts, workforce migration, and changing values among younger generations. Understanding these trends is critical for building a resilient, skilled, and engaged workforce in the state.

Key Wyoming Workforce Trends:

• Labor Force Participation: Wyoming men are leaving the workforce faster than women, with men’s participation down 6.9% compared to women’s 2.4% decline. Retaining skilled talent, particularly among prime-age men, will be essential as employers face persistent labor shortages.

• Aging Workforce and Outmigration: Wyoming’s workforce is aging, and young people are leaving. By the time Wyomingites reach their 30s, nearly two-thirds have moved out of state, creating long-term challenges for filling skilled positions and sustaining economic growth.

• Millennial and Gen Z Priorities: Younger generations are driving a shift in workplace expectations. They seek employers that take clear, proactive stances on social issues and align with personal ethics.

  • Over a quarter of Gen Z and Millennials research a company’s environmental impact before accepting a job, a third plan to do so in the future, and one in five have already changed, or plan to change, jobs due to environmental concerns.

  • In 2024, half of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials declined assignments that conflicted with their values, while 44% and 40% of Gen Z and Millennials, respectively, have turned down job offers for similar reasons. Companies that authentically commit to social responsibility and purpose-driven work will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent.

• Industry Shifts in Wyoming: Slower employment growth is projected in goods-producing sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and mining due to automation and global competition. Declines are also expected in postal services, retail trade, and utilities as technology and changing consumer behaviors reshape demand.

• Service Sector Growth: Conversely, service-providing sectors (healthcare, education, entertainment, and daily services) will account for most job growth in Wyoming from 2020 to 2032. Wage growth is modest but steady, with 0.3% projected growth by industry and 2.8% by occupation, reflecting the increasing reliance on service-oriented roles.

  
  

Implications for Wyoming Businesses:

Wyoming employers must adapt to a smaller, more mobile, and socially conscious workforce. Strategies to address these challenges include:

• Investing in retention programs for prime-age employees.

• Offering purpose-driven work and initiatives to appeal to Millennial and Gen Z talent.

• Upskilling and reskilling workers to meet the demands of service-oriented industries and emerging technologies.

• Collaborating with educational institutions to develop programs aligned with local workforce needs.

By responding proactively, Wyoming businesses can not only navigate the current labor challenges but also strengthen the state’s workforce for the decades ahead.