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JobsWednesday, November 11

Sweetwater County lost 443 jobs in early 2026, mostly in mining

The Good Day Rock Springs teamFrom Wednesday’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

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If you work in Sweetwater County, the state's first-quarter numbers hit close to home. The county had 443 fewer jobs than a year earlier, a 2.2% drop, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Friday. Sizable losses came in mining, including oil and gas, along with construction, retail trade, manufacturing, and transportation and warehousing.

Sweetwater County's jobs and payroll fell while the state's payroll grew

Sweetwater CountyMeasureWyoming
−2.2%Change in jobs−0.2%
−1.7%Change in payroll5.4%

Statewide, Wyoming lost 505 jobs while total payroll climbed. Gains elsewhere offset many losses, and Sweetwater's were mostly in mining. Job gains in professional and technical services softened the blow here.

  • Sweetwater payroll: down $6 million, or 1.7%
  • Sheridan County: up 378 jobs, payroll up $43.4 million
  • Sublette County: down 208 jobs, a 5.6% drop
  • Statewide: jobs rose in nine counties and fell in 14

Wyoming's jobs slipped, but its payroll grew

443
jobs lost in Sweetwater County
505
jobs lost statewide
$233 million
growth in statewide payroll
5.4%
rise in total payroll

Sources: Wyoming Tribune Eagle, svinews.com, Wyoming Public Media

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  1. Wyo4NewsYesterday

    The Hidden Cost of the WE Soda Layoffs: A Mental Health Crisis We Cannot Ignore, on Wyo4News

    By Bruce PivicRock Springs, Wyoming The recent announcement by WE Soda that approximately 350 jobs will be eliminated from its southwest Wyoming operations has sent shock waves through Sweetwater County. The economic consequences are significant, but there is another concern that deserves just as much attention, and perhaps even more. What happens to the mental […]

  2. Cowboy State DailyNov. 10

    Barrasso Blames China For Trona Layoffs: “The Cause Is Clear: It's Communist China”, on Cowboy State Daily

    At a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sen. John Barrasso called WE Soda’s layoff announcement of 350 jobs a "devastating blow" and pointed the finger overseas for the industry downturn. “The cause is clear: it's Communist China,” he said.

  3. Wyoming Public MediaNov. 10

    Wyoming jobs slipped slightly in early 2026, on Wyoming Public Media

    Mostly due to the mining sector, the state saw a decrease in jobs, but payroll climbed by 5.4%.

  4. SVI-NEWSNov. 10

    Union president reacts to news of WE Soda layoffs, on SVI-NEWS

    By Trina Dennis Brittain Rocket Miner Via- Wyoming News Exchange ROCK SPRINGS — Community leaders and residents across Sweetwater County are processing the shockwaves of WE Soda’s announcement that it will transition its Westvaco operations to solution mining. It...