WY

Wyoming: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival

Rank #43 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 576,851.

Wyoming ranks #43 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (49.0). Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest risk at 36.4 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 62.0 (High). The 25.6-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Accommodation and Food Services is the largest tracked employer with 33,948 jobs.

Wyoming: 49.0 Average Entry Risk

23,185
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
153,991
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
49.0
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries

Wyoming at a Glance

Best Industries for New Entrants in Wyoming

Industries with the lowest entry risk in Wyoming.

Entry Risk by Industry in Wyoming

Compare market entry conditions across industries in Wyoming. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.

Wyoming Industry Data: 23,185 Establishments

Industry Entry Risk Rank Establishments Employment Avg Wage
Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 36.4 #18/51 3,489 26,272 $53,551
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 36.5 #16/51 4,318 11,416 $91,113
Information NAICS 51 42.2 #21/51 796 0 $0
Other Services NAICS 81 43.7 #25/51 1,717 7,452 $49,878
Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 44.9 #33/51 2,425 30,225 $37,827
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 49.6 #41/51 1,130 4,108 $60,215
Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 55.0 #45/51 2,003 33,948 $28,223
Construction NAICS 23 59.3 #49/51 3,514 23,679 $71,011
Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 60.4 #49/51 2,168 9,718 $65,035
Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 62.0 #47/51 1,625 7,173 $98,911

Largest Industries in Wyoming by Employment

Metro Markets in Wyoming

2 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.

How Wyoming Compares to Neighboring States

Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.

State Avg Entry Risk vs WY
Wyoming 49.0
Nebraska 33.1 -15.9
South Dakota 33.5 -15.5
Idaho 41.6 -7.4
Utah 42.7 -6.3
Montana 44.9 -4.1
Colorado 50.1 +1.1

Wyoming: Frequently Asked Questions

2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.

What is Wyoming's overall business entry risk score for 2026?

Wyoming averages 49.0 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #43 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.

What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Wyoming?

Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest entry risk in Wyoming at 36.4 (Moderate). It employs 26,272 workers across 3,489 establishments.

Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Wyoming?

Finance and Insurance posts Wyoming's highest entry risk at 62.0 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.

How many businesses operate in Wyoming?

23,185 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Wyoming, employing 153,991 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.

What is Wyoming's largest industry by employment?

Accommodation and Food Services is the largest tracked employer in Wyoming with 33,948 jobs across 2,003 establishments and an entry risk score of 55.0.