CHEYENNE (WNE) — The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 3.5% in December 2025 to 3.6% in January 2026, according to the Research and Planning Section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.

Wyoming’s unemployment rate was higher than its year-earlier level of 3.2%, but considerably lower than the January 2026 U.S. unemployment rate of 4.3%, the DWS reported Thursday.

From December to January, unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and rose in every county. Unemployment rates usually increase in January as the end of the holiday shopping season and winter weather bring seasonal job losses in construction, retail trade and many other sectors. 

The largest increases occurred in Big Horn (up from 4.4% to 5.9%), Fremont (up from 4.4% to 5.7%) and Niobrara (up from 4.6% to 5.9%) counties. Lincoln County was reported at 4.3%, up from 3.8% from the previous year at the same time. 

From January 2025 to January 2026, jobless rates increased in all 23 counties. The largest increases were seen in Big Horn (up from 4.9% to 5.9%), Sweetwater (up from 4.5% to 5.5%) and Hot Springs (up from 3.7% to 4.5%) counties.

In January 2026, the highest unemployment rates were found in Big Horn County and Niobrara County, each at 5.9%. The lowest unemployment rates were reported in Teton County at 3.0%, Albany County at 3.8% and Converse County at 4.0%.

Current Employment Statistics estimates show that total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 286,300 in January 2025 to 286,500 in January 2026, an increase of 200 jobs (0.1%).

February unemployment data will be published on April 23.