July 2026 | Released August 21, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In July, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 29, rose in 4, and remained unchanged in 18.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.9 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 4.1 percent.

• In July, payroll jobs rose in 27 states and fell in 24. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Maryland. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in New Jersey.

West Virginia

Employment snapshot

• In July, West Virginia lost 600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 7,500 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, West Virginia added 1,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point from 4.2 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 29th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In July, West Virginia’s private sector lost 800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 2,400 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia added 100 net private payroll jobs.

• In July, employment in West Virginia fell by 106, and over the past 12 months it fell by 7,725.

• West Virginia’s labor force participation rate fell to 53.8 percent in July from 53.9 percent and ranks 51st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.6 percentage points.

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West Virginia

Payroll employment

• West Virginia lost 600 net payroll jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 7,500 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 29th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• West Virginia lost 800 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, West Virginia added 100 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 28th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From June 2026 to July 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+500) and Leisure and Hospitality (+300).
• The worst performing sectors were Construction (-1,000) and Mining and Logging (-200).

From July 2025 to July 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+3,200) and State and Local Government (+1,100).
• The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-2,100) 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 53.8 percent in July from 53.9 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 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.