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West Virginia

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West Virginia employment increased by 1,000 jobs (0.1 percent) in August. The unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage point to 3.6 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • West Virginia payroll employment increased by 1,000 jobs (0.1 percent), on net, in August. The most jobs were added over the month in construction (700 jobs). Meanwhile, the most jobs were lost in leisure and hospitality (700 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, West Virginia's economy added 10,700 jobs (1.5 percent), on net, in August. The most jobs were added in education and health services (3,200 jobs), while the most jobs were lost in transportation, trade, and utilities (300 jobs). Compared to February 2020, before the pandemic, West Virginia employment was still down 1.3 percent.
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia increased 0.2 percentage point to 3.6 percent in August. It was 0.5 percentage point below its August 2022 reading and 1.7 percentage points below its pre-pandemic rate (February 2020).

Housing Market icon showing a picture of a house Housing Market Conditions

  • West Virginia issued 281 residential permits in August, down from 340 permits issued in July and down from the 324 issued in August 2022.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values in West Virginia in the second quarter were up 2.5 percent from a year earlier.
Snapshot Resources
  • Term Definitions

    Payroll Employment
    The number of nonfarm jobs (persons on payrolls) according to where those jobs are located.

    Unemployment Rate
    The number of unemployed persons (those not employed but available and searching for work) as a percent of the civilian labor force (the total number of employed plus unemployed persons).

    Industry Structure
    A breakdown of total nonfarm jobs by industry. Percentages sum to 100 percent.

    Industry Growth
    The percentage change in jobs in each industry from a year ago.

    Building Permits
    The number of privately owned single-family and multi-family units authorized in permit-issuing places.

    House Price Index
    A repeat sales index, measuring average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same single-family properties.

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