Wyoming has several labor laws in place to protect the rights of workers. Some of the most important labor laws in Wyoming include:
Minimum Wage: The minimum wage in Wyoming is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage. However, some cities and counties in Wyoming have passed local minimum wage laws that require a higher minimum wage.
Overtime Pay: Employers in Wyoming are required to pay overtime to employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek. The overtime rate is 1.5 times the employee's regular hourly rate.
Non-Discrimination: Wyoming has laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
Workers' Compensation: Employers in Wyoming are required to provide workers' compensation insurance to employees who are injured on the job.
At-Will Employment: Wyoming is an at-will employment state, which means that employers can terminate employees at any time and for any reason, as long as it is not illegal.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of January 2022, the labor force in Wyoming was approximately 285,000 people, with an unemployment rate of 3.3%. The median hourly wage for all occupations in Wyoming was $20.27, which is slightly higher than the national median of $19.14.
The largest employment sectors in Wyoming are:
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
Government
Construction
Leisure and Hospitality
In terms of job growth, some of the fastest-growing occupations in Wyoming include:
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Computer and mathematical occupations
Community and social service occupations
Construction and extraction occupations
Transportation and material moving occupations
Wyoming's economy is heavily reliant on the energy sector, particularly oil, gas, and coal. As such, employment opportunities in these industries can fluctuate depending on market conditions. It's important for workers and employers to be aware of Wyoming's labor laws to ensure fair treatment and compliance with regulations.
Some of the top cities in Wyoming include: Cheyenne - The capital and largest city in Wyoming, located in the southeastern part of the state, with a population of approximately 64,000 people, Casper - Located in central Wyoming, with a population of approximately 58,000 people, Laramie - Located in southeastern Wyoming, home to the University of Wyoming, with a population of approximately 33,000 people, Gillette - Located in northeastern Wyoming, with a population of approximately 32,000 people, Rock Springs - Located in southwestern Wyoming, with a population of approximately 24,000 people, Sheridan - Located in northern Wyoming, with a population of approximately 18,000 people, Green River - Located in southwestern Wyoming, with a population of approximately 12,000 people, Evanston - Located in southwestern Wyoming, near the Utah border, with a population of approximately 12,000 people, Riverton - Located in central Wyoming, with a population of approximately 11,000 people, Cody - Located in northwestern Wyoming, near Yellowstone National Park, with a population of approximately 9,800 people.