September 2026 | Released October 20, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In September, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 18, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 24.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.
In September, payroll jobs rose in 24 states and fell in 25. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Carolina. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Missouri and Wisconsin.
West Virginia
Employment snapshot
In September, West Virginia remained unchanged with 0 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4 percent. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 900 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, West Virginia remained unchanged with 0 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.5 percentage points from 4.5 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In September, West Virginia’s private sector added 500 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 900 net private payroll jobs.
In September, employment in West Virginia rose by 453, and over the past 12 months it fell by 6,362.
West Virginia’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 53.8 percent in September and ranks 51st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.8 percentage points.
West Virginia
Payroll employment
West Virginia remained unchanged with 0 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 900 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
West Virginia added 500 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 900 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 46,000 jobs in September, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 41st in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From August 2026 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+800) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+300).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-600) and Other Services (-400).
From September 2025 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+2,900) and State and Local Government (+1,400).
- The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-1,900) and Construction (-1,400).
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.
The labor force participation rate in West Virginia remained unchanged at 53.8 percent in September.
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 rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.8 percent in September.