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West Virginia

aerial view of West Virginia

Total payroll employment in West Virginia increased by 100 jobs (0.0 percent) in April. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8 percent.

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Labor Market Conditions

"West Virginia's labor market was little changed in April. Payroll employment increased by just 100 jobs, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8 percent, and the labor force grew by 100 people." – Joseph Mengedoth
Total payroll employment in West Virginia increased by 100 jobs (0.0 percent), on net, in April. Small job gains occurred in most sectors in the month and were largely offset by a decline of 1,600 jobs in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector.
On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 700 jobs (0.1 percent), on net. The most jobs were shed over the year in trade, transportation, and utilities (2,500 jobs), followed by leisure and hospitality (1,600 jobs) and government (1,300 jobs).
The unemployment rate in West Virginia was unchanged at 3.8 percent in April and remained 0.2 percentage points below the rate last April.

Housing Market Conditions

In West Virginia the number of residential permits issued increased by 11.3 percent in April 2025 compared to March 2025. Compared to April 2024, the number of permits issued increased by 14.9 percent.
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values depreciated 1.0 percent in Q1 of 2025 compared to Q4 of 2024. Home values grew by 6.4 percent in Q1 of 2025 compared to Q1 of 2024.

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