6 Fast Facts Celebrating Wyoming’s Manufacturing Sector

October is National Manufacturing Month, which highlights manufacturing’s contribution to the American economy. Wyoming’s manufacturing sector is responsible for countless products that support essential industries worldwide. Wyoming manufacturers produce fuel, food, chemicals, and equipment that enter global supply chains. From Red Bull to solar panels, there’s always something being produced.  

“Manufacturing contributes $4 billion to Wyoming’s economy, both directly and indirectly,” says Brett Kahler, Executive Director of the Wyoming Economic Development Association (WEDA). “Not only does manufacturing create jobs, but it contributes to the tax base, fosters business growth with suppliers and vendors, and gives employees spending money to invest in their communities.”

If you aren’t excited about the manufacturing sector in Wyoming, you haven’t been paying attention. Here are six things you need to know about this field. 

1. Manufacturing Accounts for 6% of Wyoming’s Gross State Product

The first thing to know is that 6% of Wyoming’s Gross State Product (GSP) comes from manufacturing. GSP measures the state’s output or the value of goods and services produced. It is the state equivalent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is similar to the output of South Dakota and higher than Colorado and Montana.  

Diversification of industries is important for any state. A 6% GSP represents a strong manufacturing presence in Wyoming without letting a single sector dominate the economy. 

2. The Average Salary for Manufacturing Employees is $75,764.82

One of the biggest myths about manufacturing is that it creates low-paying jobs. However, modern manufacturing facilities often hire skilled employees who can work, repair, and improve complex machines. In Wyoming, the average annual salary for someone who worked in manufacturing in 2021 was $75,764.82.

For comparison, the median annual salary for workers in Wyoming in 2023 was $47,250. Manufacturing provides opportunities for job training, career building, and salary growth.  

3. Manufacturers Employ 3.66% of the Workforce

Manufacturing jobs are competitive in Wyoming. Nationally, 12.7% of working Americans are in the manufacturing sector. This drops to 3.66% in Wyoming, representing 10,000 workers.

This statistic presents growth opportunities for businesses that want to expand their manufacturing efforts. There are people in Wyoming who are excited to learn new skills and enter the manufacturing field if it starts to grow.     

4. The Top Manufacturing Sectors in Wyoming Are Fabricated Metal and Energy

Two sectors lead manufacturing investment in Wyoming:

• Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
• Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing.

Wyoming is a leading state in energy development. It produces 12 times more energy than it consumes and is the third-biggest energy creator after Texas and Pennsylvania. It makes sense that the type of manufacturing found in Wyoming comes from energy processing.

Despite its energy dominance, Wyoming continues to expand into new markets. Regardless of what you want to produce, there are opportunities to grow in manufacturing within this state.   

5. Laramie, Sheridan, and Natrona Counties Have the Most Manufacturers

Manufacturers operate throughout Wyoming, but a few counties have the highest number of firms, creating manufacturing hubs within the state. Three leading counties to look into include:

• Laramie County: found in the Southeast corner and home to Cheyenne, Laramie County provides easy access to Denver via I-25 and cross-country access via I-80.  
• Sheridan County: this county is on the northern border of Wyoming, next to Montana. Sheridan County is bisected by I-25 and I-90. 
• Natrona County: this county is located in the center of the state. Natrona County is home to Casper and has connections to I-25 and U.S. 26.

Wyoming has several interstate connections that make shipping goods across the country easy. Each of these counties listed has interchange access that can bring goods to all American ports, Mexico, or Canada.  

6. Most Manufacturing Firms Are Small Businesses

Supporting manufacturing means supporting small business owners. Out of 238,851 manufacturing firms in the United States, only 3,920 (1.6%) have more than 500 employees, and only 6.6% have more than 100 employees.

Most manufacturers have fewer than 20 employees, even with their plans to grow. Manufacturing investment in Wyoming can come from major firms that see value in the state or local entrepreneurs who have big ideas.    

Build Wyoming’s Manufacturing Sector Through WEDA

WEDA supports economic development in Wyoming. Our organization believes in diversified, sustainable growth. Manufacturing firms provide diversity in the types of products they make and jobs they create while supporting long-lasting growth across Wyoming. Every manufacturer, from a small business opening in Evanston to a large firm operating in Cheyenne, plays an important role in the state economy. Our job is to advocate on their behalf.

If you believe that manufacturing has a strong future in Wyoming, take part in its growth. Become a member of WEDA today and have a voice in the Cowboy State.