United States Employment Snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 17, and remained unchanged in 21.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in North Dakota and South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 42 states and fell in 9. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.9 percent in Idaho. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Minnesota.
West Virginia Employment Snapshot
In May, West Virginia added 3,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 1,400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, West Virginia added 13,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.6 percentage points from 3.6 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. West Virginia is tied for 14th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, West Virginia’s private sector added 400 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 6,900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 500 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in West Virginia rose by 114, and over the past 12 months it rose by 1,307.
West Virginia’s labor force participation rate fell to 55.1 percent in May from 55.2 percent and ranks 50th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.3 percentage points.
West Virginia Payroll Employment
West Virginia added 3,200 net payroll jobs, or 0.4 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 1,400 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. West Virginia is tied for 14th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
West Virginia added 400 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 500 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 229,000 jobs in May, or 0.2 percent. West Virginia is tied for 30th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during May were Government (2,800) and Education and Health Services (700).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Leisure and Hospitality (-200) and Construction (-400).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services tied with Government (6,300) and Construction (1,800).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Manufacturing (-400) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,600).
West Virginia Labor Force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in West Virginia fell to 55.1 percent in May from 55.2 percent in the prior month.
West Virginia ranks 50th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in West Virginia was 55.3 percent in January 2024, and the 10-year low was 52.6 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.5 percent in May.