March 2025
Released April 18, 2025
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United States Employment Snapshot
In March, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 15, rose in 17, and remained unchanged in 19.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.8 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.
In March, payroll jobs rose in 38 states and fell in 12. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in Missouri. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Connecticut.
West Virginia Employment Snapshot
In March, West Virginia lost 1,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.8 percent. In the prior month, West Virginia added 4,200 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, West Virginia lost 2,000 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points from 4.1 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 228,000 in March, or 0.1 percent. West Virginia is tied for 48th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In March, West Virginia’s private sector lost 600 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia added 3,500 net private payroll jobs.
In March, employment in West Virginia fell by 846, and over the past 12 months it fell by 6,855.
West Virginia’s labor force participation rate fell to 54.3 percent in March from 54.4 percent and ranks 51st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.7 percentage points.
West Virginia Payroll Employment
West Virginia lost 1,100 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during March. In the prior month, West Virginia added 4,200 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 228,000 in March, or 0.1 percent. West Virginia is tied for 48th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
West Virginia lost 600 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during March. In the prior month, West Virginia added 3,500 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 209,000 jobs in March, or 0.2 percent. West Virginia is tied for 42nd 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 March were Leisure and Hospitality (1,100) and Manufacturing (200).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Government (-500) and Professional and Business Services (-900).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (4,300) and Construction (400).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Professional and Business Services (-1,700) and Government (-2,500).
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 54.3 percent in March from 54.4 percent in the prior month.
West Virginia ranks 51st in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in West Virginia was 55.1 percent occurring in February 2024, and the 10-year low was 52.7 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.5 percent in March.