Today, mining remains one of the principal industries of Wyoming, along with tourism and agriculture. Nearly one-half of Wyoming's land is owned by the federal government. Over 80 percent of the minerals of the state lie in this federal land. The companies that extract the minerals pay the federal government a royalty. The state of Wyoming receives about half of that royalty.
Ranchers also have to pay a royalty for their livestock to graze on the land.
In the early 1990's, over 285,000 people held jobs. About 23 percent were in the service industries, including a large number of people working in tourism. About 12 percent of Wyoming's work force belongs to a union. Agriculture There are about 9,300 ranches and farms with an average acreage of nearly 4,000 acres in the state of Wyoming. Selling livestock and livestock products accounts for about three-fourths of farm income.