Wyoming

Job Shortages

The tables below show the top three occupations that are projected from 2018-2028 of Wyoming employers based on the level of education they require. There is a state minimum wage of $7.25 in Wyoming. The one highlighted occupation under each of the three education levels has been selected to expand on in terms of potential career advancement.

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Potential Career Advancement

1) Retail Salesperson to Supervisor of Retail Salespersons

Retail Salesperson Description: 

• Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers

Entry Level Requirements:  

• Short-term, on-the-job training
• English language proficiency 

Supervisor of Retail Salespersons Job Description: 

• Supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in a department

Career Advancement Requirements:  

• High School diploma or GED typically required

2) Nursing Assistant to Licensed Practical Nurse

Nursing Assistant Job Description: 

• Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff

Entry Level Requirements:  

• Complete a state-approved nurse aide training program, free classes found here
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam ($98)
• Apply for certification in Wyoming ($120)

Licensed Practical Nurse Job Description: 

• Provide more extensive patient care with fewer administrative tasks relative to medical assistant  

Career Advancement Requirements:  

• Complete a state-approved Practical Nursing program 
• Pass the National Council Licensure Exam-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam ($200), practice questions found here
• Apply for license ($120, renewal every 2 years)

3)  General & Operations Manager to Chief Executive

General & Operations Manager Job Description: 

• Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations

Entry Level Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Business related field, MBA degree encouraged
• Previous work experience in managerial position often required, more information found here

Chief Executive Job Description: 

• Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body

Career Advancement Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Business related field, MBA degree encouraged
• 5+ years experience of management, more information found here

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Immigration in Wyoming

The following are facts about the immigrant community in Wyoming: 

• Immigrants comprise 3% of the state population and 4% of the Wyoming labor force 
• Top industries of immigrant employment: 
  • Retail Trade, 3,350 workers 
  • Educational Services, 2,052 workers 
  • Accommodation and Food Services, 1,868 workers 
  • Health Care and Social Assistance, 1,502 workers 
  • Construction, 1,111 workers 

• 534 immigrant business owners account for 2% of all self-employed Wyoming residents
• 36% of immigrants in Wyoming are naturalized and another 32% are undocumented
• Top foreign-born countries of origin:
  • Mexico, 40% 
  • China, 12% 
  • Germany, 7% 
  • England, 4% 
  • Canada, 4% 

• 5% of native-born Wyomingites are children of an immigrant
  
• Educational attainment of foreign born adults in Wyoming: 
  • High School diploma or less –  50% 
  • More than HS diploma, less than Bachelor’s degree – 18% 
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher – 32% 
    • Share of Brain Waste* – 27% 

* Share of immigrant professionals, who are unemployed, employed at poverty-level wages in High School diploma or less jobs, or significantly underemployed in more than HS diploma, less than Bachelor’s degree jobs

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Sources

Jobs 

Projections Managing Partnership (PMP), Projections Central – State Occupational Projections, “Long Term Occupational Projection (2018-2028)”;  http://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates; https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm  

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, “Education and training assignments by detailed occupation,” 2019; https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm  

National Council of State Legislatures, “State Minimum Wages”, December 2020; http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx#Table 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic News Release, “Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls by State, Seasonally adjusted”, November 2020; https://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.t03.htm  

Potential Career Advancement 

National Conference of State Legislatures, “The National Occupational Licensing Database”, March 2020: https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/occupational-licensing-statute-database.aspx  

Immigration 

American Immigration Council, State by State Fact Sheet, August 2020; https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/topics/state-by-state