May 2025

Released June 24, 2025

Released April 18, 2025

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United States Employment Snapshot



West Virginia Employment Snapshot





West Virginia Payroll Employment


  • West Virginia added 700 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, West Virginia added 400 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

  • Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. West Virginia ranks 51st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

  • West Virginia added 1,000 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, West Virginia added 100 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.

  • Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 140,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. West Virginia is tied for 38th 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 Other Services (500) and Construction (400).

  • The poorest performing sectors during the month were Government (-300) and Manufacturing (-400).

  • The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (3,600) and Construction (2,400).

  • The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Leisure and Hospitality (-1,700) and Government (-11,400).



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.