June 2026

Released July 21, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In June, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 30, rose in 7, and remained unchanged in 14.

• The highest unemployment rate was 6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.

• In June, payroll jobs rose in 34 states and fell in 17. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in Alaska and New Hampshire. The largest payroll job percent decline was 1.2 percent in West Virginia.

West Virginia

Employment snapshot

• In June, West Virginia lost 9,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent. In the prior month, West Virginia added 10,800 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, West Virginia added 1,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points from 4 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 57,000 in June, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 28th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In June, West Virginia’s private sector lost 100 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 4,000 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia added 1,100 net private payroll jobs.

• In June, employment in West Virginia fell by 1,034, and over the past 12 months it fell by 8,025.

• West Virginia’s labor force participation rate fell to 53.9 percent in June from 54 percent and ranks 51st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.5 percentage points.

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West Virginia

Payroll employment

• West Virginia lost 9,100 net payroll jobs, or -1.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during June. In the prior month, West Virginia added 10,800 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 57,000 in June, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 28th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• West Virginia lost 100 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during June. In the prior month, West Virginia added 1,100 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 49,000 jobs in June, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 19th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From May 2026 to June 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+200) and Manufacturing (+100).
• The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-9,100) and Private Education and Health Services (-300).

From June 2025 to June 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+3,400) and Construction (+1,300).
• The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-2,200) and Mining and Logging (-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 53.9 percent in June from 54 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 55.3 percent occurring in September 2023, and the 10-year low was 52.7 percent in April 2020.

• The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 61.5 percent in June.