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West Virginia

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Payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 2,000 jobs (0.3 percent) in September. The unemployment rate edged up 0.2 percentage point to 4.0 percent.

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  • "West Virginia's labor market deteriorated slightly in September as payroll employment declined and the unemployment rate edged higher." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in West Virginia declined by 2,000 jobs (0.3 percent), on net, in September. The largest declines occurred in government (900 jobs), professional and business services (700 jobs), and construction (400 jobs). The sectors to add jobs in the month were leisure and hospitality (600 jobs), education and health services (200 jobs), and other services (100 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in West Virginia increased by just 1,700 jobs (0.2 percent), on net. Since last September, the most jobs were added in construction (2,200 jobs), education and health services (1,600 jobs) and government (900 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in West Virginia edged up 0.2 percentage point to 4.0 percent in September, but remained slightly below the year-ago rate of 4.1 percent.

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

  • In West Virginia the number of residential permits issued decreased 27.9 percent in August 2025 compared to July 2025. Compared to August 2024, the number of permits issued decreased 25.4 percent.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values appreciated 2.8 percent in Q3 of 2025 compared to Q2 of 2025. Home values grew by 5.8 percent in Q3 of 2025 compared to Q3 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