February 2025 | Released March 28, 2025

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United States Employment Snapshot

• In February, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 8, rose in 14, and remained unchanged in 29.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent.

• In February, payroll jobs rose in 27 states and fell in 23. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in Wyoming. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in Alaska.

West Virginia Employment Snapshot

• In February, West Virginia added 3,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.9 percent. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 2,400 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, West Virginia lost 1,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points from 4.1 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 151,000 in February, or 0.1 percent. West Virginia is tied for 47th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In February, West Virginia’s private sector added 2,700 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it remained unchanged with 0 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 1,100 net private payroll jobs.

• In February, employment in West Virginia fell by 809, and over the past 12 months it fell by 6,023.

• West Virginia’s labor force participation rate fell to 54.4 percent in February from 54.5 percent and ranks 51st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.7 percentage points.

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West Virginia Payroll Employment

• West Virginia added 3,300 net payroll jobs, or 0.5 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during February. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 2,400 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 151,000 in February, or 0.1 percent. West Virginia is tied for 47th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• West Virginia added 2,700 private sector jobs, or 0.5 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during February. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 1,100 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 140,000 jobs in February, or 0.1 percent. West Virginia is tied for 45th 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 February were Construction (1,500) and Other Services (1,100).

• The poorest performing sectors during the month were Mining and Logging (-200) and Education and Health Services (-400).

• The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (5,000) and Information (100).

• The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Government (-1,300) and Leisure and Hospitality (-2,900).

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 54.4 percent in February from 54.5 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 fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.4 percent in February.