Wyoming’s Individual Purchasing Power Increses, A Little

New data from the feds shows the top three states for average hourly wage growth in the nation. That would mean that you, the consumer, can do more with the money you earn.

Wyoming’s average hourly wage in 2024 was $29.20. That's not too bad compared to the rest of the nation.

That increased to $30.18 in 2025.

Wyoming is not in the top three for average wage growth. But the numbers are good for the Cowboy State.

The real purchasing power of $100 in the Cowboy State is $110.31. Wyoming also continues to see low unemployment around 3% and has high-paying jobs with a big concentration in the energy and natural resources field. (Center Square News).

States with the highest individual purchasing power were:
Arkansas: $113.49 real value per $100
Mississippi: $118.00 real value per $100
100Louisiana: $111.66 real value per $100
West Virginia: $110.23 real value per $100
Alabama: ~$110.03 real value per $100

States with the lowest individual purchasing power were:
California: $87.42 real value per $100
Hawaii: $84.00 real value per $100
New York: $88.00 real value per $100
Massachusetts: $92.00 real value per $100
Washington: ~$88.50 real value per $100

Non-metropolitan and suburban areas in states like Idaho and Montana saw strong wage growth, with $100 carrying a real purchasing power equivalent of roughly $108 to $114 due to lower relative costs outside major urban hubs. (Post Register).

So if you feel like you're getting less for your money, in some areas you are, but overall, we have been faring better across the nation and in western states like Wyoming.

If you would like to see a breakdown of the numbers, you can visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Western Office online at this link.