Wyoming’s job market currently offers numerous opportunities in high-demand, well-paying fields, ranging from skilled trades to professional services, Buffalo Bulletin reports.
A report from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services highlights 36 professions with at least 100 annual job openings projected between 2022 and 2032. These positions offer a mean hourly wage of at least $21.07, the living wage for a single adult in the state.
For professionals like Alice Swett, who has been an accountant since 1986, the demand for accountants has surged. Swett, owner of Swett Equity Accounting, employs three staff members but often turns away clients due to a lack of available accountants.
“There used to be enough public accountants to meet demand, but now there’s not,” Swett said.
The department estimates approximately 211 annual openings for accountants and auditors, driven by retirements, career changes, and new positions.
Similarly, skilled trades like plumbing face a worker shortage. Tyler Emme, a master plumber and owner of Cowboy State Plumbing, noted a consistent demand for plumbers as the number of tradespeople dwindles. His company frequently turns down projects due to staffing limitations.
Many skilled trade roles, including plumbing, carpentry, and welding, do not require a college degree. Instead, they often involve on-the-job training or apprenticeships. For instance, plumbing apprenticeships allow trainees to earn wages while learning.
Emme observed that misconceptions about trades deter some from entering the field.
“Ninety percent of our business is clean work like water heaters and new construction,” he said.
The report also listed diesel engine mechanics as an in-demand profession, particularly in ranching communities. Cosme Lopez, owner of Torque Diesel Engine Mechanics, emphasized the importance of diesel vehicles for Wyoming’s ranchers and growing demand for mechanics skilled in increasingly computerized systems.
Tourism-related roles, such as tour and travel guides, offer growth potential. With an estimated 109 annual openings, the profession could expand in regions like Johnson County, which features attractions such as Dry Creek Petrified Tree Environmental Education Area and Crazy Woman Canyon.
“There’s room for more guides to enhance tourism and promote responsible exploration,” said Toby Carrig, marketing director for the Johnson County Tourism Association.
The decline in trade school enrollment before the pandemic contributed to worker shortages in skilled trades. However, a post-pandemic rise in trade school attendance suggests a cultural shift back toward vocational education, contrasting with declining university enrollment.
While worker shortages can present challenges for businesses and consumers, they create opportunities for job seekers. Competitive wages and high demand make these professions appealing for those entering or switching careers.
As Emme succinctly put it:
“More people should get into it, but it’s beneficial that they don’t.”
