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West Virginia

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Total payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 1,100 jobs (0.2 percent) in March. The unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percentage point to 3.8 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "Recent labor market data showed mixed conditions in West Virginia in March. Payroll employment fell in the month and the labor force contracted, but the unemployment rate declined as fewer people reported being unemployed." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Payroll employment declined by 1,100 jobs (0.2 percent), on net, in March. The largest job losses occurred in professional and business services (900 jobs), government (500 jobs), and construction (400 jobs). The only industries to add jobs in the month were leisure and hospitality (1,100 jobs), manufacturing (200 jobs), and "other" services (100 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 2,000 jobs (0.3 percent), on net. The most jobs were shed over the year in government (2,500 jobs), professional and business services (1,700 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (1,500 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia declined by 0.1 percentage point to 3.8 percent in March, as the number of unemployed people declined by 800 and the labor force declined by 1,700 people (0.2 percent).

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

  • In West Virginia the number of residential permits issued increased by 26.7 percent in March 2025 compared to February 2025. Compared to March 2024, the number of permits issued decreased by 6.2 percent.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values appreciated by 2.2 percent in Q4 of 2024 compared to Q3 of 2024. Home values grew by 6.8 percent in Q4 of 2024 compared to Q4 of 2023.
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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Joseph Mengedoth