August 2025 | Released September 19, 2025

Download the full PDF for West Virginia

Download the summary PDF for West Virginia

United States

Employment snapshot

• In August, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 12, and remained unchanged in 26.

• The highest unemployment rate was 6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.3 percent.

• In August, payroll jobs rose in 32 states and fell in 18. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in Utah. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.7 percent in District of Columbia.

West Virginia

Employment snapshot

• In August, West Virginia lost 1,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 3.8 percent. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 600 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, West Virginia added 3,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points from 4.1 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 22,000 in August, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 36th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In August, West Virginia’s private sector lost 900 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 1,700 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 1,300 net private payroll jobs.

• In August, employment in West Virginia rose by 389, and over the past 12 months it fell by 2,999.

• West Virginia’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 54.3 percent in August and ranks 51st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.5 percentage points.

---

West Virginia

Payroll employment

• West Virginia lost 1,100 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 600 jobs. West Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 22,000 in August, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 36th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• West Virginia lost 900 private sector jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, West Virginia lost 1,300 jobs. West Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 38,000 jobs in August, or 0 percent. West Virginia is tied for 43rd in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From July 2025 to August 2025:

• The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+800) and Other Services (+200).
• The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-700) and Construction (-700).

From August 2024 to August 2025:

• The best performing sectors were Construction (+3,100) and State and Local Government (+2,100).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-2,900) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-800).

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 54.3 percent in August.

• West Virginia ranks 51st in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in West Virginia was 55.1 percent occurring in February 2024, and the 10-year low was 52.7 percent in April 2020.

• The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.3 percent in August.