November 2025
Released January 08, 2026
Download the full PDF for West Virginia
Download the summary PDF for West Virginia
United States
Employment snapshot
The highest unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota.
In November, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 15. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.3 percent in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in New Hampshire.
West Virginia
Employment snapshot
In November, West Virginia lost 700 net payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 1,700 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, West Virginia lost 1,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points from 4.1 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. West Virginia ranks 47th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In November, West Virginia’s private sector lost 400 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia added 100 net private payroll jobs.
West Virginia
Payroll employment
West Virginia lost 700 net payroll jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 1,700 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November, or 0 percent. West Virginia ranks 47th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
West Virginia lost 400 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, West Virginia added 100 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 69,000 jobs in November, or 0.1 percent. West Virginia is tied for 39th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From October 2025 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Construction (+500) and Leisure and Hospitality (+500).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,000) and Professional and Business Services (-500).
From November 2024 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Construction (+2,900) and Private Education and Health Services (+1,700).
- The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-2,200) and Leisure and Hospitality (-1,500).
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.
- West Virginia ranks 51st in the nation.